I 



9 




H. Z. SNEERSOHN, 

OF JERUSALEM. 



Palestine and Romania, 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE 



HOLY LAND, 

AND 

THE PAST AND PRESENT STATE OF ROMANIA, AND THE 
ROUMANIAN JEWS, 

r 

BY 




OP JERUSALEM. 



NEW YORK : 
HEBREW ORPHAN ASYLUM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, 
76th Street, bet. Third and Lexington Avenues. 
1872. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, 

ByH. z. sneeksohn, 

in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



INDEX. 



LEOTUEE I. 

PAGE. 

The post Biblical History of Jerusalem and her present state. 
The manners and Customs of the Syrian Turks and Arabs. 
The present condition of Christians and Jews, etc. . . 17 

LECTURE II. 

Hebron and the Cave of Machpelah. The war of Ibrahim 
Pasha and the rebellion of the Sheiks. The Oriental Coffee- 
Houses. The Moslem Schools, and the present condition 
of the Jews 38 

LECTURE IIL 

Shechem and the Samaritans, The City of Zephath, in Upper 
Galilee, and present condition of its inhabitants, Tiberias, 
The sea Genesareth and the Mineral Springs, &c. . . 58 

LECTURE IV. 



The Future of Palestine. The Redemption of Israel. The 

Universal Salvation, etc. 72 



iv INDEX. 

Rabbi Sneersohn and President Grant 85 

A Letter to President Grant 86 

Testimonial from the Hacham Bashi, &c 89 

The Jerusalem Mission 93 

The Lecture and Meeting at Sidney, N. S. W 96 

Condition of the Jews at Jerusalem 103 

Jerusalem — The Locusts. 108 

Condition of the Holy Land 110 

A Voice of Complaint from Jerusalem 112 

Jerusalem — Varieties 113 

An Appeal from the Holy Land ..115 

Jerusalem — A Few Reflections 117 

Petitioners for Lands 119 

Association for the Colonization of Palestine ...... 120 

LECTURE V. 

Roumania and Roumanian Jews. . . * .123 

THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 

Their status in Roumania. A Convention of all the Powers 
proposed by England. A counter punishment by Gortscha- 
koff. The Russian wins. Renewel of the Convention of 
1858 k ■. . . . ... 139 

Serious Thoughts and Reflections , . • 149. 



ALTERATIONS AND ERRATA. 



On page 17, second word of second line, for " first" read "post." 
Page 21, 14th line, for "Ami David" read "Amir David." 
Page 26, 11th line, for 44 his time" read 44 this time." 
Page 29, 12th and 14th lines, for 44 Scheshesh" read 44 Sheiks." 
Page 39, 8th line, for 44 E. Jehudah Haileay" read "K. Jehudah 
Hallevy." 

Page 54, 15th line, for 44 Allavi!" read " AUa uyak." 

Page 59, 13th line from bottom, for "Toppa" read 44 Joppa." 

Page 64, 2d line, for 4 4 the court of a Jew," read 44 a Jewish court." 

Page 74, 8th line, for 44 their " read 44 there." 

Page 81, 12th line from bottom, for "Hoseas" read "Hosea." 

Page 88, 10th line, for 44 with heart " read 44 without heart." 

Page 96, 17th line from bottom, for 4 4 Meeting at Melbourne " read 

"Meeting at Sidney, New South Wales." 
Page 124, at end of paragraph, 14th line, insert, 44 When I was at 

Bucharest, its chief city, I found no Board of Trade ; no Bureau 

of Statistics or Agriculture ; these are conveniences yet unknowa 

in the capital of Eoumania." 
Page 136, 15th line, for 44 Pope" read " Porte." 



PREFACE. 

HE accompanying volume contains a 
collection of lectures, delivered by the 
Author during his sojourn in the 
United States, before intelligent and 
appreciative audiences in different large cities 
of this glorious Union. These lectures treat of 
the topography, history, and present condition 
of a land, dear to every lover of religion^ 
as the ancient home of the race, of which the 
author is a descendant, and where it was his 
fortune to dwell for twenty-eight years. To 
these are added various articles, contributed 
at different times in many of the prominent 
newspapers, with the object of enlightening 
the general readerj about the true situation of 
our brethren in the Holy Laistd ; an interesting 
account of the efforts of the author to amelior- 
ate the condition of his nation, during his 
travels in America and Australia ; and finally 
recommendations and encouragements from 
leading Israelites who assisted him in his holy 
endeavors, together with speeches and creden- 
tials from men of high standing, Christian 
statesmen and judges, who graciously enlisted 
in our cause and spoke in favor of Israel. 




Vlll 



PREFACE. 



When the situation of our brethren in B,ou- 
mania became very wretched, the author had 
the honor of presenting to the President of the 
United States a petition and address in order to 
interest him for our suffering co-religionists and 
to obtain a representative of that powerful na- 
tion to the Roumanian states, who would by 
his influence shelter the sufferers and protect the 
mercilessly persecuted. An account of his fee- 
ble efforts and success with the help of God, 
will be found among the contents of this book. 

PURPOSE OF THE PUBLICATION. 

The contents of this book are not brought 
before the public for the self-glorification of 
the author, but with the hope that his endeav- 
ors in the holy cause will serve to encourage 
others, who are in similar positions with him, 
that they may not despair, but trust in God, 
as he did, and make renewed efforts for the 
benefit of their fellow-brethren in distress and 
oppression. 

The author is fully cognizant of the numerous 
publications and works extant relating to the 
Holy Land ; but yet new facts and views will 
be found in his account of that sacred sail. 
The cities of God, which He loveth are like 
twins, linked together like the Book of Books, 
the Holy of the Holiest, the Sacred Writings. 



PREFACE. 



ix 



Every one among the millions who study the 
bible will be enabled to discover new idea 
in that ever-flowing well, supplying the thirsty 
soul w~ith refreshing water. So the blessed 
land, the inheritance of Jacob ! Every visitor? 
every susceptible soul who breathed its air, 
is inspired for new discoveries and inclined to 
see visions with open eyes. There is not a 
part in the whole country, not a single stone, 
without its traditions ; everywhere the traveler 
beholds places made sacred by the wonderful 
events which passed from time to time through 
the interposition of the Almighty. When you 
pass the frontier, at every step your spirit will 
tremble, your thoughts will chase each other 
as wave chases wave on the ocean. Wonderful 
land, Biblical land, are truly applied to desig- 
nate it. 

How much more are the impressions of the 
land upon a mind like the author's, who breathed 
its air from childhood, and whose soul is bound 
up to it ! 

The principal reasons for introducing this 
book are two-fold : 

1. Leading and prominent co-religionists of 
the United States encouraged the author to 
publish the same, as the kind reader will learn 
from the various testimonials published here- 
with. 



X 



PREFACE. 



2. In order to remove a censure from the Jews 
living in the holy cities, the watchmen of 
the garden of the Lord Zebaoth, who are gen- 
erally blamed by their brethren in faith , and 
looked upon as an indolent and ignorant people 
neglecting all useful pursuits, and even too 
careless to behold the land they inhabit, he 
rejoices in the portion of his task which has 
fallen to him from his Creator, to remove that 
shame from his brethren, the dwellers in the 
streets of Jerusalem. Praise be to God and 
blessings to those who have assisted him in the 
glorious task. 

The author hereby gives thanks to God for all 
the kindness He bestowed upon him, and who 
guarded him on his ways in this country during 
four years. He is unworthy of the least of all 
the mercies and the truths He has shown to 
him. He awoke the hearts of many benevolent 
men to his support, prominent among them 
for his many good deeds, Mr. S. T. Meyee, 
of New York, through whose kind instrumen- 
tality he was enabled to bear the expense of this 
publication. His prayers shall always be offeied 
up to God for the prosperity of all his patrons. 
May they be blessed with an everlasting name, 
and may their eyes behold the salvation of 
Judah and the redemption of Israel, and may 
a new light break forth from Zion, and all re- 
joice in its brilliancy. Amen. 



i 



LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC 



EXTEACTS OF AN OPEN LETTEB OF THE ChACHAN BASHI, CHIEF 

Rabbi of Jerusalem, dated Ab 5624, and published in 
the " hamagid." 

First, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all the kind and 
benevolent of Australia, who, although living in a far-off island, 
remember with true piety Ancient Jerusalem and its inhabitants. 

The " Hamagid" and the " Jeicish Chronicle" of London, have 
repeatedly written about the kind feelings toward Israel existing 
among the liberal minded great men of Australia, which mani- 
fested itself by munificient donations to the dwellers at Zion, in 
assisting them to build houses of refuge on Mount Zion, 
and which found expression in numerous public addresses of 
prominent Christians, who declared their hope and desire for the 
speedy fulfillment of the prophecies in reference to the inheritance 
of Israel. My heart exulted in reading their testimony and letter of 
recommendation to our messenger. Where is an Israelite, who will 
not be delighted in beholding such a spectacle ! 

The attachment of our brethren in faith is certainly not surpris- 
ing, but the interest manifested by Gentiles, who came to our aid 
in the establishments of the Holy Land is something novel. They 
are miracles of God, who changeth the times and altereth the sea- 
sons! 

I hereby express my deepest thanks to them for the friendly re- 
ception of our beloved messenger, Rabbi HayimZve Sneebsohn, and 
shall ever remember them with thanks and blessings. 

Now, my beloved brethren of the house of Israel, behold the great 
works of God, which he wrought through our messenger for the 
benefit of Jerusalem, who by his eloquence awakened the hearts 
of the inhabitants of every city where he traveled for the love of 
Zion, and augmented the honor of God and His people. Admire 
the benevolent hearts and good feelings of the Christian inhabi- 
tants of Australia! We would wish their example imitated by 
those of our co-religionists who neglect Zion. 



\]i 



LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. 



Sixteen dwellings have been already built on Mount Zion for our 
poor, many of them from the donations collected by our messenger 
in Australia, who faithfully forwarded them during his mission to 
their destination. I do testify to the honesty and prudent manage- 
ment of our beloved messenger, Rabbi Sneersohn, who jealously 
worked in his holy enterprise. With clean hands and a pure heart 
he discharged his duties. The sums collected by him have been used 
for the sole purpose of erecting buildings of Zion, and both Portu- 
guese and German Jews derived the benefit of his mission, in con- 
tradiction to other messengers who, generally, only work for one 
congregation. 

I am also authorized to certify, in the name of the Shepardu 
congregation, to the foregoing statement, and express their thanks 
to the inhabitants of Australia, who have acquired an everlasting 
name among the dwellers in Jerusalem. 

May the time soon arrive when all the ends of the earth remem- 
ber and return unto the Lord, and all nations witness the restitu- 
tion of the Almighty to Zion. Amen. 

[seal.] Hay am David Hasan. 

Chief Rabbi. 

Certified by the Prussian and English Consuls at Jerusalem. 

Extkact or a Letter by J. M. Franklin, dated Washington, D.C. 

Good tidings unto the Israelites in the Holy Land ! From this 
far-off city I inform the ' 4 Hamagid " of the exertions of Rabbi 
Sneersohn, of Jerusalem, in behalf of the welfare of his brethren. 
A short time ago he arrived at this city, the capital of United 
States, and soon gained the good will and respect of the most in- 
fluential men of this government. He lectured twice in the pres- 
ence of large and appreciative audiences, among them the Turkish 
ambassador, members of the President's family, and several of the 
Ministry and of Congress. His elequence and fluency in the En- 
glish language were generally admired, and his words made a good 
impression upon the audience. Last week, at a protracted inter- 
view with the Secretary of State, he pleaded the cause of his breth- 
ren at Jerusalem against the American Consul, who was trying to 
entice a Jewish girl to the Christian religion. The Secretary of 
State promised to remove the Consul from the Holy City. Last 
week E. Sneersohn was invited to the White House, and intro- 
duced to the President, w r ho received him in the most friendly 



LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. 



xiiv 



manner, and expressed his best wishes for the felicity of Jerusalem, 
and the welfare of the Israelites residing there. This interview was- 
telegraphed all over the United States, and the leading newspapers 
commented very favorably upon the Reverend gentleman, who 
succeeded in his efforts. 

Extbact of a Lettee by Rev. A. G. Messing, Rabbi of the 

CONGEEGATION " SHEEITH IsEAEL," SAN FeANCTSCO, CAE. 

San Feancisco, Siven, 5630. — I report with pleasure to our co- 
religionists in Roumania the great aid arising for them from the 
new world. The Almighty will soon send his angel from America, 
a Hebrew gentleman from the free republic, to save them from op- 
pression. About a fortnight ago a dispatch arrived in the United 
States about a fearful calamity that visited the Jewish inhabitants 
of Sekutsch. It caused great excitement wherever it reached, and 
the petition of Rabbi Sneeesohn, which he had forwarded to the 
President several months ago, was brought again before the public 
and copied by the leading newspapers. Great mass meetings were 
called at the large cities and dispatches sent $o Hon. Simon Wolf, 
recorder at Washington, and laid by him before the President. R. 
Sneeesohn, who was at the time in our midst, has sent a dispatch 
to that gentleman and to Hon. A. S. Salomon, requesting them to 
propose the name of B. F. Peixotto, as a proper person to vindi- 
cate the cause of Israel, and with the help of God and the clemency of 
the President, Mr. Peixotto was appointed as General Consul at 
Bucharest. Rabbi Sneeesohn delivered a very instructive lecture 
about Roumania and the Roumanian Jews, which not only exhibited 
his great love for his faith and learning, but also a thorough knowl- 
edge in political affairs. When he depicted the sufferings of the 
Roumanian Jews, many eyes were filled .with tears. 

Deae Sie: Paeis, July 22d, 1870. 

Mr. Albeet Cohen informed us of your energetic efforts for our 
oppressed brethren in Roumania. We hereby express our thanks 
for your assistance in the labors of the Alliance, and appoint you 
as an honorary member of our Society. We are happy to learn that 
Mr. Peixotto, on his way to Bucharest, will visit Paris. 
In the name of the Central Committee, 
Yours most respectfully, 

ADOLPH CREMIEUX, Pees. 

Isedoe Loeb, Sec'y. 



xiv LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. 

Extract of a letter by A. J. Messing, Rabbi at Chicago. 

Chicago, Shevat, 5G30. — On the fifteenth of last month President 
Grant appointed a new Consul for Jerusalem. I have no doubt 
that this news will be very welcome on the hills of Zion. Eabbi 
Sneersohn is to be credited for that result, as he very zealously 
labored and secured the powerful influence of the Turkish Ambas- 
sador to accomplish this object. Here in this city R. Sneersohn de- 
livered two lectures, under the auspices of the B. B. Lodges, by 
invitation from Grand Saar Henry Greenbaum. His lectures 
evinced great acquaintance with the Holy Land, which he investi- 
gated with an intelligent eye. He will accomplish much for Israel, 
as he possesses the friendship of leading prominent men. He did 
not come begging like other messengers, refused all gifts in the 
form of charity, and proved very liberal to the poor. * * 

New York, January 27, 1869. 

Rabbi : 

Appreciating the ardor with which you have labored both in Asia 
and Australia, in behalf of your brethren in the Holy Land, the 
undersigned hereby respectfully invite you to address, on the sub- 
ject of your endeavors, a circle of friends of Israel, in this city. 

Dr. S. ADLER, 

Dr. EINHORN, 

Dr. H. VIDAVER, 

JAMES K. GUTHEIM, 

Dr. AD. HUEBSCH, 

Dr. M. MILLZINER, 

HENRY WARD BEECHER, 

J. BONDI, 

S. M. ISAACS, 

I. J. LYONS, 

Dr. SONNENSCHEIN, 

Rabbi H. Z. Sneersohn, of Jerusalem : 

I should be very glad to hear so high an authority on so impor- 
tant and interesting a subject as the Holy Land and its condition. 

HOWARD CROSBY. 

New York, January 28, 1869. 



LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. 



XV 



The Rabbi Sneebsohn, from Jerusalem, is commended to the 
intelligent and pious whom he may meet in the United States. I 
have examined his numerous credentials, have listened to his lec- 
tures, and associated gentlemen of eminence have called with him 
on the Secretary of State and the President of the United States. 

His views are intelligent, his spirit most worthy, his lectures 
specially interesting ; and in every respect he has won confidence 
and esteem at the seat of Government. 

G. W. SAMPSON. 
Columbian College, Washington, D. C, April, 24, 1869. 

Cincinatti, May 19, 1869. 

To the Rev. Rabbi H. Z. Sneeksohn : 

My Deab Sib — I have been truly gratified with the interview we 
have held, and the instructive lecture you delivered at the Temple. 
Let me assure you that you have left a deep impression here on the 
Christian mind. Your deep devotions to your own people in their 
religious interest, your thorough knowledge of the Old Testament 
Scriptures, with your enlarged charity for all your race, have given 
the promise to us all that you are destined in the Providence of God, 
to be a minister and a messenger of his and to the world. 
May he ever bless and keep you. 

BELLAMY STORER. 

New Yoek, October 12, 1869. 
Rabbi Sneebsohn has just delivered three interesting lectures on 
the Holy Land, which I had the pleasure to hear. As giving the 
views of an enlightened and devout Israelite, one personally ac- 
quainted with Palestine, these lectures will be instructive to all 
thoughtful minds. 

HOWARD CROSBY. 

Salt Lake City, U. T., November, 1870. 
Rabbi H. Z. Sneebsohn, San Francisco : 

Deab Sib — Your favor of 29th ult. is to hand. In reply permit me 
to say it will afford our citizens much pleasure to have you address 
them in the Tabernacle on subjects of such deep and abiding in- 
terest to us all as the past history and present condition of God's 
covenant people Israel. 



LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. 



xvi 



If possible please inform me, a day or two in advance of your 
coming, when you will be here, so that the people may be notified 
through the Press of your intended visit, and the Tabernacle be pre- 
pared for your lecture. 

I remain, Dear Sir, Very Sincerely Yours, 
In the cause of Israel, 

BRIGHAM YOUNG. 

Ill New Bond Steeet, London, Tuesday, May 25, 1869. 
My Deae Feiend : 

Your letter of ^^fc^ ^ as m °st gratifying to me. I most 
heartily congratulate you on the honor which was conferred on you 
by the head of the American Government, and which also reflects 
honor on our community in general. Your news about your son 
is also very gratifying. 

And now, my good friend, go on, and prosper, and rest assured 
of the good wishes of 

Yours, very faithfully, 

GABRIEL B. WORMS. 

Professor Marks and the Rev. Mr. Green desire to be kindly 
remembered to you, as also Mr. Dawse. 

Rev. Rabbi Sneeesohn, of Jerusalem, at New York, 77th Street 
and Third Avenue, N. Y. 



LECTURE I. 



The first Biblical History of Jerusalem and her present state. The 
Manners and Customs of the Syrian Turks and Arabs. The 
present condition of Christians and Jews, etc. 

T is a well-known fact that the City of Je- 
rusalem has on more than one occasion been 




destroyed and rebuilt, demolished and again 
reconstructed : and she may justly be com- 
pared to a sickly person whose countenance changes 
from time to time, just according to the weight of the 
disease, and the amount of his periodical sufferings. 
So, too, we find it to be the case with the Holy Land, 
whose appearances and aspects have changed from 
epoch to epoch, depending upon those who happened 
to be her possessors and rulers. From the period 
of her Jewish kings and princes being made cap- 
tives, and her famed sanctuary destroyed by fire, she, as 
it were, never calmly submitted to be ruled by any 
foreign sovereignty, nor is she longer vested with 
that tranquil spirit with which she was in former 
days naturally blessed. And if we consider the rest- 
less changes and revolutions which the Holy City 
had continually to undergo those 1800 years, it makes 
the impression upon our minds that it is the fate of 
the city never to have peace and rest till her children 
again enter into it, and then she will assume her 
former glory and majesty. 
2 



18 



LECTURE I. 



Her occupants since those days seem never to have 
enjoyed quiet and peaceful possession. Historians tell 
us that Jerusalem in 1800 years has been subjected to 
no less than 72 foreign kings, who have ruled over her, 
and also to 23 changes of government. She has fre- 
quently seen the expulsion of the J ews, who as often 
have compromised with the rulers in power for per- 
mission to return. Their existence as a nation was 
for a time extinguished by Vespasian and his son Titus, 
and the Holy Land itself remained in the hands of the 
Romans for several centuries. The history of the last 
siege of Jerusalem by Titus is written in letters of 
blood on the heart of every Jew ; " it is one of the 
epochs in the annals of the world. 5 ' 

At times, since then, she formed parts of the ter- 
ritories of Greece and of Persia. The caliphs of 
Mecca and Bagdad conquered her three (3) times. 
Five (5) times has she fallen into the hands of the 
Tartars, and five (5) times into those of the Egyptian?. 
Between whiles she has been held by several European 
powders, and even King Tamerlane of the East has 
owned her. Twice have the Turks held her by right 
of conquest, and part of the territory of the Ottoman 
Turks she now still remains. 

See, how many times she has been robbed and 
disrobed, and notwithstanding those changes she has 
never been at pest, neither have they produced in 
her the effect of a quiet settlement. One and all 
who have desired to settle down in that land since 
the destruction have suffered most fearfully. Aye, 
the blood of thousands, not of Jews alone, but that 
of Christians likewise, has been spilt in the cause of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 19 

religion. The cruel persecutions of the Jews in the 
time of Titus are indeed indescribable. But they are 
too deeply engraved in the hearts of the people ever 
to be forgotten. A famed writer contrasts the differ- 
ence in her aspect then, and that which it had pre- 
sented in the olden times, when all was peace and 
harmony and happiness. But at the time of the siege 
of Jerusalem, naught but the clamor of war was heard ; 
added to which was the awful sufferings of her people 
from pestilence and famine — each bringing its cus- 
tomary train of miseries. Nor did any of those who 
succeeded Titus spare the land or her people. Domitian, 
the brother of Titus, it was, who slew the remaining 
survivors of King David's family. Hadrian, as soon 
as he ascended the Roman throne, slew thousands 
of Jews, and his general, Julius, was a sore oppressor 
of them. We also find that Turnus Rufus, in the 
bitterness of revenge for the Jews attempting to re- 
take Jerusalem, passed a plough over the ruins of the 
devoted city. At the siege of Bithar, the headquarters 
of Jewish learning, more are said to have fallen than 
departed with Moses out of Egypt ; the horses plunged 
up to the bits in carnage. All Judea was a desert, 
and hyenas and jackals went howling along the streets 
of the desolate cities. Hundreds of thousands were 
carried into captivity ; the chief rabbis were bar- 
barously slain, among whom was the far-famed Rabbi 
Akiba, who was flayed alive. Jerusalem was utterly 
annihilated. A new city which received the name of 
^Elia Capitolina was built on its site,, and worse than 
all, a Roman colony having been established at Jeru- 
salem, a fane dedicated to Jupiter was erected on the 



20 



LEOTURK I. 



ruins of the fallen temple, and the Jews were forbidden 
under pain of death to come within view of its environs. 
It was not until after many years that they were permit- 
ted even to visit the hill-tops from which they could 
gaze upon their fatherland. And they ultimately 
succeeded in purchasing for large sums of money the 
right to visit the city on the great fast-day in Ab, to 
mourn their loss and to bedew with tears the ruins of 
God's Holy Sanctuary, over which they poured out 
the bitterness of their afflicted souls. 

We find that the Christians during the period just 
mentioned were also harassed by their enemies ; nor 
did they ever enjoy peace until the conversion of 
Constantine, who again restored the sacred name of 
Jerusalem. The Empress Helena herself, though 
advanced in age, visited the city, and besides erecting^ 
and with pious munificence endowing, many public 
buildings, she aided her son in favoring the Christians, 
But during the time of the previous emperors, as well 
as those that succeeded him, the Christians were per- 
secuted and destroyed unmercifully. The Emperors 
Julian the Apostate, and Theodosius, slew hundreds 
of thousands. Their sufferings were brought to a 
climax in the days of Chosroes, King of Persia, w r ho 
slew 20,000 innocent Christians, and led the patri- 
arch priest with the remainder into captivity. In 
the year 4572 of the world (about 812 of the Chris- 
tian era) the Moslems fell suddenly upon all the Chris- 
tian priests, whom they massacred without sparing 
the life of even one of them. The Caliph El Hakim 
of Egypt, who attacked Jerusalem in 4772 (about 
1012 of the Christian era) also slew several thousands,, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



21 



and destroyed that magnificent structure erected 
by Constantine over the sepulchre of Jesus. So also 
did Saladin vent his burning spite against the Christian 
worshipers, entering their church on horseback. 
Other monarchs also rendered their government op- 
pressive in every possible way, torturing the living, 
abusing the dead, tearing down houses, and destroy- 
ing a vast amount of property. These and many 
other sufferings both Jews and Christians had to en- 
dure, and their blood has flowed as freely as water. 

The city of Jerusalem has been five (5) times totally 
destroyed, viz ; first by Titus, second by Turnus Rufus, 
third by Caliph El Hakim, fourth by Sultan Melak 
El Moodan, fifth by Ami David. 

The fate of the Holy City reminds us somewhat of 
the fate of the Jews. Any other nation would have 
perished after so many endurances, but the people of 
Judea are still in existence. In the same way, we may 
say, that any other city, after so manifold sufferings, 
would have disappeared from the earth. But not so 
with the Holy City.* She is not only always present 
to our eyes in her former glory — in our minds she is 
still surrounded with the eternal halo of holiness, the 
city itself still exists. The spirit of the Lord still hov- 
ers over it ; there is an eternal life in it, a holy soul, so 
to speak, that withstood the vicissitudes of time — and 
the Holy City could be called, with better reason than 
that of Rome, the Eternal City, 

It is a remarkable fact, that, while Palestine and 
Syria had since time immemorial to endure terrible 
earthquakes (the last of which happened January, 1837), 
the vicinity of Jerusalem was never visited by that 



22 



LECTURE I. 



calamity, its holy ground never shaken ; as the Psalm- 
ist says (Chapter xlvi) : 

" We will not fear, though the earth be removed, 
and though the mountains be carried into the heart 
of the sea, God is in the midst of this city, she shall 
never be shaken. 55 

It is certainly a spiritual power, a wonderful, un- 
speakable charm, if I may use this word, which gives 
life to her stones, and which with irresistible power 
impels our hearts toward her. 

The appearance of the Holy Land, in its present state, 
may be compared to a rich ore wherein there is plenty 
of gold, although concealed from our eyes. Upon 
closer examination w r e discover some bright sparks^ 
which at once disclose the latent valuableness of its 
contents. Certain rules can even be applied to ascer- 
tain its specific gravity, from which we may learn its 
true value. The fortunate finder has cause to rejoice 
at that for which he had long sought, for which he 
had sunk many a deep shaft, and which has at length 
made its appearance, although all along it had been 
lying concealed in the bowels of the earth. The dis- 
covery to him is indeed a gratifying event, which 
brightens his eyes and revives his spirits. So, too, with 
the Holy Land. Although for years deeply sunk in the 
estimation of warriors — although she has sustained 
many a grievous fall — although her bright light has 
been dimmed and her country laid waste — although 
she has been surrounded with afflictions and her face 
has been covered with nettles, " yet withal, the peculiar ' 
constructions of her buildings, her high and lofty hills 
declare her dignity and excellency ; they at once testify 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



23 



to her latent and hidden sacredness." Certain visible 
peculiarities which we read of in the Prophets, and 
which are also handed down to us by the sages, are 
still discernible, and compel the beholder to admit that 
" this is the land which the Lord our God had sworn 
to give unto us." 

Whoever once enjoys her air, or reposes in her 
shades, feels imbued with a holy delight, and sees that 
the spirit of the Lord moves over her. " Her taste still 
remains, and her sweet scent is not gone," even in 
her desolate state. Indeed her ancient buildings, her 
elevated and lofty mountains, her subterraneous vaults, 
strike the hearts of many with terror, and terrify and 
perplex the beholder. Let any one ascend the Mount 
of Olives, and look at the City and the lofty mosque 
erected on the holy spot, descend the place of the re- 
maining portion of the western wall, and examine the 
immense size and appearance of the stones yet left 
from King Solomon's Temple : he feels a thrill of 
mixed grief and awe« lie cannot refrain from shedding 
tears, and his mind becomes confused in reminiscences 
of the past, as well as at the sight of such wonderful 
things which the Almighty has preserved in the w T orld. 
It is of frequent occurrence, when the ground is pre- 
pared to receive the foundation of some new building, 
that the diggers discover huge stones, which evidently 
served as the foundation of some large building in 
ancient times. Even long vaults, almost the length 
of streets, have occasionally been met with under- 
ground which in all probability have never been seen 
since the day of destruction. On Mount Zion, the place 
desired by the Lord for his habitation, which has 



24 



LECTURE 1. 



again become one of the possessions of the Children 
of Israel, on which they erected houses for the Jewish 
poor (in the interest of which the author was missioned 
to Australia), they discovered, while digging for the 
foundation, large buildings below ground, such as as- 
tonished the architects and visitors who descended for 
the purpose of inspecting them. 

In compliance with the wish of the Prince of Wales 
when on a visit there, the underground of the ancient 
city of Jerusalem was excavated and laid 'open : and 
on his return to England a society, " the Palestine 
Exploration Fund," was formed, whose aim it is 
to make further explorations and discoveries in, or 
rather under, the Holy Land, in order to find out the 
subterraneous ruins, and especially to trace the upper 
water-course of the Grihon, which King Hezekiah 
stopped, as we are told 2d Book of Chronicles, chap- 
ter xxxii. In many places outside the city excava- 
tions have been made, as w r ell as inside of its walls. 
Two of these, opposite the Temple in the Tyropseon 
Valley, which are called Wilson's Arch and Robin- 
son's Arch, I myself entered into, in company with 
some Rabbis of Jerusalem, and we all admired the 
beautiful bridges and columns which we saw at the 
depth of about 100 feet. In Wilson's Arch, Charles War- 
ren, R. E., showed to us a marvellous structure of huge 
stones, which seems to have been the secret passage 
leading from the palace of King Herod on Mt. Zion? 
to the Temple on Mt. Moriah. We looked at this ed- 
ifice with a mixed feeling of awe and joy, blessing the 
time which brought to day-light so many treasures 
hidden through centuries. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



25 



Nearly all the edifices in Jerusalem are strong stone 
buildings, and very lofty, but her streets are long and 
narrow. There are small streets or alleys which contain 
large numbers of houses ; every house or court is sup- 
plied with wells, water-holes, and cisterns, wherein 
rain-water is collected for the use of the inhabitants. 
Jerusalem depends on rain for its supply of water, 
and as such the blessing of the earth depends on the 
amount of rain which falls during the proper season ; 
if rain be scarce, the season suffers, as nothing grows 
to perfection. 

The rainy season commences in Heshvan (about 
November,) and continues until Adar (March). In 
Adar the rain is accompanied by storm and high-wind 
which is called Malcosh, or latter rain, but in the sum- 
mer seldom or never a drop of rain falls. The tem- 
perature of Palestine averages during the winter 50 
to 53 degress above zero, in summer however it some- 
times rises above 90 ; and though there are occasionally 
warmer days in the height of summer, yet the air is 
never affected, but is at all times pure and agreeable 
by reason of the cool, refreshing breezes. Fruit is 
very plentiful in the proper season, especially of the 
seven kinds for wilich Palestine w T as ever famed, and of 
which a great deal is exported to other countries. 

Nearly all the Turks are landed proprietors, and 
have splendid orchards and gardens, whether resi- 
dent in the towns or in the villages. The land is 
still to be compared to a rose-bush covered with 
thorns, keeping the beholders at a distance. Though 
the earth is highly productive, her fruits plentiful, her 
buildings mighty and renowned, her waters agree- 



26 



LECTURE I. 



able, her air pleasant, indeed faultless, yet, when we 
consider seriously, does the land belong to us? is 
a Jew the proprietor of a garden or orchard ? No, 
alas ! The Turks are the owners of our inheritance, 
and we are strangers in our own land ! And now, since 
the time it was conquered by Sultan Soliman ben 
Salim, 342 years ago, it is desolate and devastated. 
It is true that the Turkish sultans who have reigned 
these three centuries have all been kind and 
friendly to both Jews and Christians. Among the 
17 who reigned during his time, there was not 
one who would have persecuted the believers of 
another creed; those who dwelt and dwell in the 
shades of their wings, had never to endure any cruel- 
ty or oppression. But what advantage results from 
all their kindness and mildness if they have not the 
power to make themselves feared by the multitude 
of Arabians who inhabit the country ? There was 
not one of those sultans able to restrain or to punish 
and extirpate any of those rebellious outlaws, and 
even to-day the ruler has not sufficient power and au- 
thority to rule over the whole country like other kings 
do. It is only the native Arabs and Turks — they are 
the rulers and supreme kings. Although they believe in 
one (1) religion, yet they differ in their manners and 
customs, their habitations, their dresses, and even in 
their physical structure. The Arabians are very num- 
erous ; hundreds of thousands are scattered like sheep 
upon the face of the field ; they are dusk in color, 
and violent in their temper. They live in the deserts 
and in the mountains around Jerusalem ; their pas- 
tures are on the shores of the Jordan and near Jericho ; 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 27 

they all possess cattle, flocks, and camels. They are 
strong and valiant men and expert in war ; their 
principal weapon is the spear. They are also excel- 
lent horsemen. Day and night they are on the road 
in ambush to plunder the passers-by and take the 
spoil. They live by their swords; and with their 
weapons they maintain themselves and families. 
They live in a rather patriarchal way : divided into 
single tribes and societies, each having a chief or sheik 
who is considered like a king. There is much jeal- 
ousy and enmity between the single tribes, and the 
land has never rest on account of them and their 
tumults. They would make war against each other 
even for a goat or a lamb. When they meet a trav- 
eler on the highway — be he foreigner or Turk — 
they rob him of all he has, and if he refuses to obey ? 
they take his life. There is nothing which could re- 
strain them. They do not fear either God or man. 
Their only ruler is their silent passion ; they live for 
to-day and do not think of to morrow. The life of a 
man is in their eyes like the life of a fly ; for gain- 
sake they would commit the most impious action, for 
they walk in the imagination of their hearts. But 
notwithstanding all that, they are kind and honest to 
any one who comes to seek shelter under their roof. 
Of whatever denomination he may be, they feed him 
and nourish him and honor him the best they can. 
As long as he is in their house, not one hair of his 
head will fall to the ground. In the same way they 
would keep their word if they promised anything. 
The government made several efforts to keep them 
down and to bring them under its rod : but when war 



'28 



LECTURE I. 



is waged against them they are always triumphant ; 
and in consequence of that, the land around them is, 
so to speak, public property. 

The Turks in the vicinity of Jerusalem and its ter- 
ritory are men of stately figure. They are very 
strong-hearted, stiff-necked and passionate. But their 
temper cannot be read on their faces. They are very 
intelligent, and of great capacities for almost anything; 
yet there is not one who would take an interest in study 
and learning. They know no language other than 
the Arabic, which they speak, read and write ; but 
no science is cultivated, not even that of medicine. 
They are lazy and indolent ; and whatever they do, 
they are in no hurry about it ; they go on slowly and 
deliberately. Their conversation is underlaid with all 
kinds of poetical phrases of beautiful proverbs and 
sayings ; for everything, they mention the name of 
God, and everything they refer to the decree of the 
Lord. They speak in so loud a tone, as to make any 
stranger believe that they are quarreling even when 
they ask for some favor. But they are hypocrites ; 
there is no trust in them ; on their mouth is peace and 
in their heart is misdeed. They are rash to anger, 
revengeful as a serpent, fanatic adherents of their 
faith, embittered enemies to those whom they call un- 
believers. They are highly superstitious, and employ 
all kinds of sorcery and divination for every purpose. 
They live separately in bright and spacious houses, 
surrounded by a stone wall ; for it is forbidden to look 
at the women of others. Their garments are always 
neat and proper ; their heads are always covered, even 
in bed. But they go barefoot, even in Winter. Their 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



29 



principal meal is in the evening ; during the day they 
eat very little. A favorite meal with them is the 
flesh of the camel. They have no place of entertain- 
ment besides the coffee-house, where they sit down 
listening to the teller of stories and fairy tales. Most 
of them have no trade or occupation other than to 
care for and feed cattle ; a few, however, are mechan- 
ics, and some are merchants ; but anything like the 
European banker is not to be found among them, 
The clergy are highly honored and revered. They are 
furnished liberally with everything. These priests are 
divided into four classes : Scheshesh, Hagish, Der- 
vishes, and Sharifes. 

The Scheshesh consist of those who teach children, 
and also of blind men who do nothing but the saying of 
prayers for the sick, and their living consists of alms 
given to them. The Hagish are those who have vis- 
ited the grave of their Prophet in Mecca, as a sign of 
which they wear green turbans. The Dervishes, as 
they say, have no bodily object in view, and live en- 
tirely in religious thoughts and ceremonies. As a 
proof of their ascetic views, they sometimes run about 
naked ; and in o^der to show their religious fervor they 
shout aloud: " There is no God besides God!" La 
Hillah hil Allah. They dauce wildly with swords and 
lances. Sometimes they carry with them serpents, 
which they show as a proof that they have overcome 
Satan, who is identical with the serpent. Some- 
times it happens that even a merchant throws away 
all his earthly thoughts and becomes a Dervish. 
Those are called Sharifes ; that is to say, they are 
inspired by a holy spirit. The madmen are also con- 



30 



LECTURE L 



sidered by the Moslems as holy persons, and to meet 
them occasionally is of good foreboding. So they are 
highly respected, and it is considered a duty to kiss 
their hands, as a mark of reverence. 

The highest religious authorities are the Cadi and 
the Mufti. The Cadi has the same rank as a Bishop 
or a chief Rabbi. The Mufti is a judge, and some- 
times the Vice-Cadi. They receive their salary from 
the government ; they are also the chief judges in the 
courts of the law. The Effendis are the rulers and 
councillors of the city ; they are not chosen by the 
public or by the government. "They inherit their po- 
sition from their fathers and forefathers. The 
government cannot bring them down from their great- 
ness, nor can any citizen oppose himself to them. 
They are the supreme authorities, and they can do 
what they like. Their only aim is to gather as much 
riches as possible, and they do not care about the wel- 
fare of the city which is under their sway. They are 
therefore not beloved by the people, but rather hated. 
In the courts one would find also Christians and Jews 
as members of the Divan or Migless. Although few 
in number they are of great help, even to the op- 
pressed Moslems, by defending their rights. 

Sometime ago the government was strong enough 
to levy taxes, duties and soldiers upon them ; it tries 
also to diminish and to abate the authority of the 
Effendis. As a general thing it may be said, that any 
change in regard to those inveterate institutions seems 
to the Moslem as if the laws of nature had been 
changed. Such is the present situation of the Turks 
and Arabs in whose hands is the Holy Land. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 31 



To the Christian, Jerusalem again is the cradle of 
his faith. Jerusalem has been and still is the object 
and aim of many devotional Christian pilgrims. 
On arriving they meet with an hospitable reception 
by their Christian brethren. The Greek Christians 
are Arabs, speaking only Arabic, with the exception 
of the high clergy and such monks as come from the 
Greek Islands. Those Greek Christians have eight 
convents and five nunneries in Jerusalem. They are 
in sympathy with Russia, and look uyon the C^ar as 
their protector. The Latin Christians, or Roman 
Catholics, are mostly from Syria, and likewise speak 
Arabic. Their Patriarch has spiritual power over all 
Catholic churches in Palestine. The convents have 
another head, called Abbot or Warden, and is of- 
ficially styled "Guardian of Mount Zion." He is al- 
ways an Italian by birth, and is appointed by the Pope 
for no longer term than three years. In Jerusalem an 
Anglican bishop is also residing, his diocese including 
Syria, Chaldea and Egypt. This bishopric was es- 
tablished by Prussia and Great Britain together in 
1841. The missions of Protestants are chiefly sup- 
ported by English and American subsidies. The 
American government is looked upon in Palestine as 
the great shield of freedom against oppression, and it 
is a fervent desire that this free republic should be 
represented in the Holy City by one who, in the hour 
of need, would manfully defend the principles of his 
government against arbitrary rule. This mighty na- 
tion, whose daily food are the sacred Scriptures and 
the Constitution, ought to lend a helping hand to every 
one persecuted, upholding liberty of conscience 
wherever the stars and stripes wave. 



32 



LECTURE I. 



I will come now to the present condition of our Jew- 
ish brethren. There are residing in Jerusalem about 
3,200 Jewish families, gathered together from all parts 
of the globe. The so-called Sephardim, or Portu- 
guese Jews, are for the most part decendants of the 
Jews who were driven out from Spain at the end of the 
fifteenth century ; others are from Turkey, Syria, 
Babylonia, and a few of them hail from Africa, Curdis- 
tan, Persia and Bouchara. 

The so-called ^shkenasim, or German Jews, came 
from all parts of Europe ; most of them from Poland 
and Russia. There are fourteen congregations in Jeru- 
salem : three consisting of Portuguese and eleven of 
Germans. The Spanish Jews are the most conspic- 
uous, and stand high in the esteem of the government. 
The chief Rabbi, with allusion to a bibical expression, 
is called the " First of Zion." He is vested by the 
government with the power to decide in regard to 
any dispute happening among the Jews. He is their 
judge, as he is entitled as a Haham Bashi. What be- 
longs to the religion, all the Jews living in Jerusalem 
are strict observers of the Law of Moses according to 
the interpretation of the Talmud. The decisions of the 
Talmud are strictly kept from generation to genera- 
tion, and no innovation would be allowed; nothing is 
to be abolished — not an iota. The morals of the 
Jews are commanding respect. Their only aim and 
wish is to be able to study the Holy Law without dis- 
turbance. That is all they ask from God. The Por- 
tuguese Jews study diligently the Hebrew Bible and, 
besides, the Talmudical decisions ; but they do not go 
as deep as the Germans in controversy and dispute 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



33 



about the Talmud. They take care to admonish the 
people by the way of sermons. 8 Most of them read 
cabalistic books, although without understanding theixu 
(They consider the reading in itself as a meritorious 
work, regardless the understanding of them.) They 
abhor all books about philosophy and the sciences. 
They have no schools wherein to teach their children 
other branches of knowledge. Only the rich men let 
their children have instruction in foreign languages 
and sciences. Most of the Portuguese Jews read and. 
write Arabic fluently, the language spoken in the 
country. The German Jews study exclusively the 
Talmud. There are numerous schoolhouses ; that m 
to say, houses for teaching and studying the Thora, as 
well as for saying prayers. There are in every con- 
gregation Rabbis who teach and study the Talmud 
day and night, and as most of the Jews have no other 
business or work to perform, the Talmud is their 
profession, and prayer is their work. Nevertheless there 
are only a few who write books, because they have (to 
use a Talmudical expression) mill-stones on their 
necks ; therefore they have no free minds, their living; 
being dependent on the charity of their European 
brethren. External circumstances are detrimental to 
the development of their talent. The exterior situation 
naturally affects their interior. 

The amount per annum of the charitable donations, 
from Europe and America intended to be distributed 
among the fourteen Congregations is about $100,000. 
Nevertheless the poor ones are always complaining 
and sighing for bread. Even at present the eyes of 
their European benefactors are not so opened as to 
3 



34 



LECTURE I. 



have in view a general amelioration of their state, and 
satisfy the wishes of those who have no other desire 
but to till the land of their fathers and eat the fruits 
thereof. Only then will it come to pass that howling 
and lamentations will cease in the Holy Land. 

Among the leaders of Israel there is not one who 
takes so much interest in the welfare of the Jews of 
the Holy Land as Mr. Albert Colin, of Paris. He is 
their real benefactor, and from his efforts much last- 
ing good is yet to be hoped for by the poor of that 
country- 

Among all the Jews there are about 700 individu- 
als who make their living by trade or labor. The 
foreign trade is mostly in the hands of the Portuguese, 
as they are the oldest inhabitants, and are acquainted 
with the wants of its people. 

The working men are more to be found among the 
Germans, who learned some handicraft in their native 
country. There are among them hard-working men 
as carriers. 

There are also among the Jews of Spanish descent 
a class called the Moriscos, who are a very courageous 
people. Like the Ishmaelites, they carry weapons 
with them, and trade with the Arabs throughout the 
country. About three hundred Jews, mostly of 
Spanish origin, are in possession of houses and courts. 
About eighty of these lately bought a large piece of 
ground outside the city, on the road to J oppa, near 
the Russian building, in order to build houses. The 
dwelling places of ,the Jews are generally such as 
to cause many diseases. Occasionally families are 
to be found living in one small room, which is at the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



35 



same time used as a kitchen, the rent of the houses 
being exceedingly dear and is required in advance for 
two or more years. It was of great advantage to the 
needy ones that the building of Juda Turo was erected 
by order of Sir Moses Montefiore. The same can be 
said of the poor-houses erected on Mount Zion (for which 
purpose I traveled in Australia), which caused a per- 
ceptible decrease in rents. 

The Jews of Jerusalem altogether walk with their 
heads bowed down ; there is no life or joy on their 
faces ; they look like shadows of dead men. The 
poor ones are always groaning, sighing and complain- 
ing. But even those who are not in need, lament all 
the time the desolate state of Zion, the loss of the City, 
and the destruction of the Temple. Who can fully 
comprehend their sufferings ? who can enter into their 
feelingsj How deep a woe to them to see the site on 
which formerly stood their Holy Sanctuary, with its 
" Holy of Holies " where the high priest dreaded to 
tread, now trodden by the Mahometans. 

The Cave of Machpelah, that holy sepulchre pur- 
chased by our forefather Abraham, is now the prop- 
erty of the Turks. The children of Abraham, Isaac 
and Jacob see all these places, but dare not enter into 
one of them. What Jew would not feel his loss ? It 
makes their hearts bleed and the tears to come forth 
when they see all that and remember byegone times. 
Like a man who has before his eyes a dead friend, so 
the Jews there cannot enjoy any pleasure in seeing 
these mournful, lonely and desolate places. But 
there is hope and consolation entering their hearts 
in consequence of changes for the better which the 



36 



LECTURE I. 



country has undergone and the interest which it has 
lately, more than before, awakened in the minds of 
travelers. The Jews see how the country's glory and 
beauty is developing more and more, and they see the 
new sun which begins to shine on the Holy Land. 
They notice the ways of the merciful God who never 
forsakes his people; and any one reflecting on the 
manifold vicissitudes of the country will maintain the 
hope that the day of salvation is near at hand. The 
destroyers of the city are no more ; fanaticism is gone ; 
there is no more religious enmity. And while the 
wild Arabs are disappearing, the Jewish race gain 
more and more strength, especially since prominent 
men of foreign nations have begun to build houses in 
Jerusalem and to live there. 

The aspect of the city has changed very much ; the 
night of former days is followed by a broad daylight ; 
for all the kings, princes and many great men have 
sought to exalt the City of God, rebuild her ruins 
and adorn her with new structures as far as they 
possibly could accomplish it. Many of late have pur- 
chased pieces of waste land ; and, by the mercy of 
God, the Jews also are now beginning to possess real 
estate in the land of their forefathers. From time to 
time the princes and kings of the earth come to see 
the land and examine it ; men of science investigate 
it; they ascend the mountain of God. This is surely 
by the will of God, who awakens their hearts to do so. 

And when w r e look carefully into the present state 
of affairs, all will admit that they were alluded to by 
the royal Psalmist when he sung : " Thou shalt arise> 
and have mercy upon Zion, for the time to favor her> 



PAST AND PRESENT OF JERUSALEM. 



37 



yea, the set time has come, for thy servants take pleas- 
ure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof. So the 
nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the 
kings of the earth thy glory. When the Lord shall 
build up Zion, He shall appear in his glory, for He 
hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary ; 
from heaven did the Lord behold the earth, to hear 
the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are 
appointed to death ; to declare the name of the Lord 
in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem," 



LECTUEE II. 



Hebron and the Cave of Machpelah. The war of Ibrahim Pasha 
and the rebellion of the Sheiks. The Oriental Coffee-Houses. 
The Moslem Schools, and the present condition of the Jews. 

My Worthy Friends : 

^^"^r" URING- the few months of my sojourn in 
'-^KjUS this free country my eyes have been opened 
"^Ppf to its greatness and welfare. I see that all, 
-32/2, both laity and clergy, Jews and Gentiles, 
follow the path of justice, and truth and wisdom are 
the lights which guide them. The spirit of religion 
and of knowledge pervades all. Blessed is the coun- 
try whose rulers and whose inhabitants are sons of 
freedom, and w T here shines the light of liberty and in- 
dependence. Blessed it is to the Lord ! America is 
called the New World. To me it is indeed a New 
"World, when compared with the many other coun- 
tries I have seen in Europe, Asia, Africa and Aus- 
tralia. The difference between good and bad is the 
more striking when I think of Palestine, whereupon 
the curse of the Lord is still resting. The darkness 
wdiich reigns there is the more felt by me when I be- 
hold the light of this country. But agreeable as it 
may be to pass from darkness to light, it is not so to 
me, for who am I ? I feel a still greater sorrow when 
I compare the misfortunes of the Holy Land w T ith the 
fortunate state of other countries. When I see how 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT 



39 



the cities every where else are growing and flourishing, 
while the cities of God lie low and sink deeper and 
deeper, I cannot refrain from complaining and mourn- 
ing ; and I shall not feel satisfied until the day when 
the state of the Holy Land is as good as that of 
America. I can never forget the Holy City. I see 
her always before my eyes, and the lamentations of 
Jeremiah and those of R. Jehudah Halleay are re- 
sounding in my ears ; and I wish and hope to be able 
so to move the hearts of other pious and benevolent 
men that they may help us to bring the dove of Israel 
to its nest again. 

In my foregoing lecture I treated of Jerusalem ; 
but this time I am going to speak about Hebron. 

Hebron was given by Joshua to Caleb, son of Je- 
phunneh ; this city is twenty English miles south of 
Jerusalem, and is situated in a valley, in the portion 
of Judah ; the mountains which surround it are the 
highest points of the mountains of Judah. In the 
bible it occurs also under the name of fY^^p 
the City of the Four, as the dwelling place of Anak. 
It is also called Mamreh, after Mamreh, Abraham's 
friend. The Arabians of to-day call it Baithal Chalil, 
that is, " House of the Beloved," after Abraham, 
whom the Mohammedans cherish as much as we do, 
for they are his descendants. According to the holy 
writ Hebron is very old, exceeding in years even Je- 
rusalem. It is said that she was built seven years be- 
fore Zoan, in Egypt, which shows her excellence above 
all other cities. It was a capital and a residence until 
it was conquered by Joshua. Hebron was, seven years 
and a half, the residence of King David. The patri- 



40 



LECTURE II. 



arclis not only lived there, but were buried there, 
where they sleep the sleep of death even to-day ; and 
Jacob, as we know, had so great a desire to be 
gathered with his forefathers, that he made Joseph 
swear to bring his corpse to Hebron. Hebron and 
Jerusalem are like twins; the one is the dwelling- 
place of the Lord, the other is the resting-place of the 
patriarchs, who made known to the world the unity and 
the power of the Almighty. And as Hebron and Je- 
rusalem are like twins, so they ever share the same 
fate. The horrors of war and devastation by which 
Jerusalem was visited, were in a like manner felt in 
Hebron, which, for its manifold vicissitudes, might 
be called the City of Blood. The Jewish legend 
tells us how, at the destruction of the Temple, Jere- 
miah went and threw himself on the graves of the 
patriarchs. He called to them : " Awake, oh ye sleep- 
ers of Hebron ! arise ! see the misfortunes of good 
children, how they are driven into captivity or killed; 
arise and implore the Father in Heaven to have mercy 
upon them." But God's wrath did not cease. And 
it was in the valley of Hebron where the victorious 
Romans brought together thousands of the youth of 
Zion and sold them for slaves ; the sons of Abraham, 
Isaac and Jacob, the descendants of kings and high 
priests, were sold to strangers like cattle ! Unsearch- 
able are the ways of God. It was the same Hebron 
which, in the time of Joshua, was one of the cities ap- 
pointed as a place of refuge for murderers to flee to. 
(Joshua, xx.) It is now 700 years since Hebron 
was conquered and destroyed by the Christians, and 
for seventy years it was not inhabited. But even 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



41 



:after its reconstruction, the Jews did not dare to live 
tthere for about thirty years, after which period a few 
were found there. It appears, however, that they 
•quitted it again; and 369 years ago only the small 
number of ten Jewish families dwelt in Hebron; 
isince which time they have lived and increased there 
uninterruptedly. In how far the memory of olden 
times is still fresh among the Jews, can be learned 
•from a story told in regard to Hebron. According to 
ithe Jewish rite, ten adult persons are necessary to 
ihold divine service. But the adult persons in Hebron 
mumbered in all but nine. At the approach of the 
-day of Atonement they once sent a request to their 
brethren in Jerusalem to send them at least one man, 
that they might have the full number for that holy 
day. But as it was then very dangerous to travel, 
nobody dared to make the journey. All day long the 
inhabitants were standing at their doors looking for 
some one to come. The eve of the holy day was at 
hand; but no one appeared; and they went to their 
house of worship sad and mournful. But how great 
was their joy and astonishment when, on entering the 
synagogue, they found an old man sitting in a corner. 
They did not ask him whence or how he came, they 
were happy that he was there ; and it was, besides, 
time to begin the devine service. They then said the 
evening prayers, as usual, and on the following night, 
when the time of fast was over, every one wanted to 
take the stranger to his home and entertain him in a 
sumptuous manner. As they could not agree, they 
<€ast lots. The sexton, or, as he is called, the schames, 
was very happy that the lot fell upon him. Full of 



42 



LECTURE II. 



joy he hastened home and told his wife to prepare a 
good supper in honor of the stranger. But when it 
was time to eat, the stranger had disappeared. Great 
as the joy of the sexton had been, greater was now 
his sorrow. He made all possible search, but nobody 
had seen him. The poor sexton, notwithstanding he 
had fasted for twenty-four hours, could not eat any- 
thing. He went to bed. And it was then that Abra- 
ham appeared to him in a dream, and said: "Fear 
not, it was I, Abraham, who had pity with you, and 
who came to fulfill the number of ten." Even now- 
a-davs the Jews of Hebron show the place in the syna,- 
gogue where Abraham, the tenth, was sitting on that 
day. They have no doubt that Abraham left his 
heavenly abode in order that his beloved sons could 
say their prayers in the right way. 

Hebron is a small city, without walls, and with few 
inhabitants. But in consequence of the high buildings 
which surround it, it looks like a strong city. There 
are tw T elve quarters separated from each other, in each 
of which are different yards or courts. Every quarter 
seems to be a little village of itself. The city is 
surrounded on all sides with beautiful gardens ; the 
grapes that grow there are the best in the country. 
Besides the vines, there are thousands of olive-trees. 
The territory of Hebron is very fertile. There are many 
springs of water in the vicinity, which is rather rare 
in this country. The climate is healthful and superior 
to that of Jerusalem. The necessaries of life are very 
cheap, and although living is not at all expensive,, 
there is not a Christian residing in Hebron. It is not 
safe to live there, as the city is often invaded by rob- 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 43* 

bers and murderers. Even in our days the city has. 
had much to suffer from the horrors of war and 
depredation. Such was the case in the year 1834., 
when Ibrahim Pasha, the viceroy of Egypt, fomented 
a rebellion against the Sultan. The Mohammedan 
inhabitants of Hebron, a warlike set of people, resisted 
him, and fought with great bravery against his troops,, 
whom they would not allow to enter their city. At 
that time even the women took part, arming them- 
selves and throwing fiery arrows upon their assailants 
from the roofs of their houses. The Pasha lost more 
than 25,000 men in the fight. But when the city was 
at last obliged to surrender, his revenge was a terrible 
one. During seven days he allowed his soldiers their 
full revenge for the death of their companions, to> 
plunder and to destroy everything to their heart's 
desire. The Mohammedan inhabitants fled into the 
mountains, leaving behind them all they possessed.. 
The soldiers plundered the whole city, and what they 
could not carry with them they destroyed. During 
seven days the conflagration raged. The finest and 
most valuable goods were burnt ; quantities of fine silk 
and wearing apparel were thrown into the fire. The 
olive-oil the soldiers burned to illuminate their wort 
of destruction. There was not one house spared.. 
And even the Jews of Hebron, although they had not 
done anything, had to suffer from the wrath of the- 
Pasha and his soldiers. All of their possessions were 
plundered, and five of them were murdered. Their 
beautiful daughters and wives were carried away by 
the soldiers to their dwelling places, nobody prevent- 
ing them. When three days of darkness were over,, 



44 



LECTURE II. 



the Pasha felt pity for the Jews and prohibited all 
further cruelties. But the stolen goods he did not 
return, and the lost lives lie could not restore. The 
Jews did not even venture to ask for a restitution 
of what they had lost. On the contrary they went to 
the Pasha, fell on their faces, thanking and blessing 
him for his mercy and for putting a stop to acts of 
violence. 

This calamity is still remembered by the inhabitants 
of Hebron, under the name of " Yagma el Gabireh," 
or the great destruction. It is called the great one 
with reference to another calamity which befell them 
in the year 1846. As the circumstances are highly 
characteristic of the state of things in that country, I 
may be allowed to give a full description of the event. 
Abdorrahman, the governor of Hebron, made w r ar 
against Ibrahim Pasha. When the city surrendered 
Abdorrahman fled, and hid himself near the border on 
the other side of the River Jordan, and there he lived 
in concealment during the reign of Ibrahim. Two 
of his brothers were compelled to serve as soldiers in 
the ranks of the Pasha ; one of his enemies, a prom- 
inent man of the city, Abd Jovad, was made his 
successor. When Ibrahim Pasha was defeated and 
the Sultan had assumed his former authority, Abdor- 
rahman left his hiding place and was soon restored to 
his former position and honor. As soon as he had 
reassumed his power he had his successor, Abd Jovad, 
killed openly in the centre of the city. Abdorrahman 
was in every respect an ugly person. He was entirely 
uneducated, and could neither read nor write his own 
Arabian language. All his greatness and glory he 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 45 

had inherited from his ancestors, while his great riches 
proved a valuable aid to him in all times of distress. 
The inhabitants of Hebron were always in fear of his 
cruel and passionate temper. After some time, his 
two brothers escaped from the Egyptian army and 
returned to Hebron. He made them rulers of the 
villages in its vicinity. They were not at all like him, 
but just and pious men, of a mild and generous char- 
acter. With the lapse of time the inhabitants, who 
loved them while they hated their brother, caused a 
rebellion against Abdorrahman. He was compelled to 
flee, and his brothers were elected as Sheiks to succeed 
him. Abdorrahman made several efforts, with the help 
of friends, to regain his former position, but in vain. 
He was always defeated. The Jews especially were,, 
during this time, in a state of great anxiety. Neither 
their lives nor their goods were safe. They did not 
dare to travel anywhere, and were obliged to hide 
whatever they had in subterranneous places and caves. 
They were in constant fear, and on every occasion 
they gathered in the synagogues to implore the mercy 
of God. 

Abdorrahman induced the Pasha of Jerusalem, by- 
means of bribery, to assist him in conquering the city ; 
and so at last the city surrendered to the soldiers of 
the Pasha and of Abdorrahman, in the year 1846, in 
the month of Ijar (or May). The rebels were put irt 
prison and the city was given over to plunderers. The 
Pasha had promised to the councils in Jerusalem that 
no harm would be done to the Jews, but that promise 
was not kept. Some soldiers entered the caves and 
took from there what they found ; and one Jew was 



46 



LECTURE II. 



shot. The Jewish women had before disfigured their 
faces with a mixture of charcoal and oil, and in this 
way escaped the eyes of the soldiers. Some time 
afterward, both Abdorrahman and the Pasha said to 
the Jews that all their goods would be returned to 
them ; but, as usual, the promise was not kept. The 
principal men of the Congregation were compelled to 
sign a document wherein it was stated that they had 
not lost anything. 

Now the question may be asked : Why do the Jews 
continue to live in a place w r here they are surrounded 
by robbers and murderers, and where they have to 
endure such manifold oppressions and vexations ? The 
reason of this is, that the Jews still love the place ; 
they can not depart from the spot where their fore- 
fathers rest. It is the Cave of Machpelah, which, to 
them, is more attractive than all the beauties of other 
countries. They are not allowed to enter the Cave ; 
the sons of Hagar do not allow the sons of Sarah to 
visit her grave. The servant has inherited the mis- 
tress. They stand outside and say their prayers. They 
visit this ground from time to time, but it is always 
joy which fills their hearts. They go there as a child 
would go to see its parents. They say their prayers, 
but they do not weep. It is quite different with 
another holy spot, near the western wall of the Temple. 
There the Jews gather every Friday evening. On 
seeing the destruction, of the holy place, they give vent 
to their grief in bitter complaints and lamentations. 

The Jews are not only not allowed to enter the Cave 
of Machpelah, they cannot even tarry long outside 
without the risk of being insulted by Arabian boys, 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



47 



who would vex them by throwing stones. And this 
may be done without fear of punishment. Even if 
some one would go and accuse them in court, which 
is just opposite, his complaint would not be heard. 
The field containing the Cave of Machpelah is situated 
on the higher slope of the eastern hill, and is now 
inclosed by a massive wall fifty feet high. The wall 
has an ancient appearance, being constructed of large 
stones hewn smooth, and extends north and south 200 
feet, and 115 east and west. The exterior is orna- 
mented with square pilasters, sixteen on each side, 
eight at each angle, which withouf capitals support 
a cornice extending the whole length of the structure. 
The wall is solid, without window or aperture, except 
at the angles of the nothern end, where are the chief 
entrances, reached by broad flights of steps, of gentle 
ascent, leading to the court within. Within this mural 
inclosure stands a Turkish mosque. Beneath it is the 
Cave of Machpelah, and within it are the monumental 
shrines of the patriarchal dead. Within a small chapel 
on the right is the cenotaph in honor of Abraham, 
and directly opposite, in a similar recess, is the shrine 
of Sarah. Each is inclosed by an iron railing, and 
guarded by a silver gate. That of Abraham con- 
sists of a coffin-like structure, six feet high, built of 
marble and draped with three carpets of a green 
color embroidered with gold, while over that of Sarah 
is spread a pall. On the sides of the mosque, midway 
of the building, and immediately opposite each other, 
are the monumental tombs of Isaac and Rebekah. 
Like those of their parents, they are placed within 
chapels, in the walls of which are windows protected 



48 



LECTURE II. 



by iron bars. In a separate cloister, opposite the 
entrance of the mosque, in corresponding recesses, are 
the tombs of Jacob and Leah. Over that of the 
former are green-colored carpets ; against that of the 
latter recline two war banners of the same hue. The 
word Machpelah signifies " double." The Cave con- 
sists of two compartments, separated by a wall of 
native rock. To its sepulchral vaults there are three 
entrances, one in the northwest corner close to the 
western wall ; a second in the court, opposite the 
entrance gate of the mosque ; and a third near the 
shrine of Abraham. 

Such is the description of the Cave of Machpelah 
since the visit of his royal highness the Prince of 
Wales. 

Besides the Cave of Machpelah there are three holy 
places where the Jews occasionally say prayers, viz : 
the grave of Abner, son of Ner ; in the midst of the 
city in the private court of a Mussulman, for entrance 
to which one has to pay an admission fee ; the grave 
of Jesse, the father of David, and that of Athniel, son 
of Kenaz, which are located near the Jewish burial 
ground, in a barren and open place. Unlike the 
gravestones of Jerusalem, those of Hebron have no 
inscription at all. The name of the buried is retained 
through memory and traditioif from generation to 
generation. 

There live now in Hebron about 200 Jewish families. 
Some of the German origin (Ashkenasin), others of 
Spanish descent (Sephardin). 

The Spanish Jews and the Germans dwell in peace 
together, but although having the same origin they 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



49 



seldom intermarry. Both are very strict in keeping 
all the ceremonies prescribed by the Talmud, but they 
in the same way practice the virtues which belong to 
the inner life. They are especially known for their 
great hospitality. In this way they imitate their fore- 
father Abraham, whose home was open to every one. 
There is no Jewish hotel or lodging place in Hebron, 
and there is no need of any, for it is a duty incumbent 
on all to keep their houses open for every one, even 
for rich people. The Jews of Hebron still observe 
the old custom of making pilgrimage to Jerusalem 
on the three holidays. They go there with song and 
music, and then unite at the western wall of the Tern 
pie to pour out their soul in prayers and psalms. The 
Spanish Jews are mostly mechanics, while the Germans 
are tradesmen and brokers. Their trade consists 
mostly in the export of wine, strong drinks, and con- 
fectionery made from the honey of grapes, which they 
export every year to Jerusalem. As food of all kinds 
is very cheap, there are not so many paupers in Hebron 
as in Jerusalem. Most of them possess real estate 
(houses and courts). The Jews live in a separate local- 
ity surrounded by walls, and only a few dwell among 
the Arabians. The inhabitants of Hebron are strong 
and healthy, owing to the good air and the help of 
God, there being no European physician in the city. 
In case of disease they all, Jew and Mohammedan, re- 
sort to magic cures, to amulets, the invocation of angels, 
&c. This sort of healing is practised by every one, 
the old women being considered the best physicians. 

As in other places, they adhere to the custom of 
marrying their children when they are really children 
4 



50 



LECTURE II. 



still, as a boy of fourteen years marries a girl of about 
the same age. There are parents to be found who 
are not older than 17 or 18 years. There are seven 
rulers of the Spanish Congregation ; their head, or 
Pakid, is highly esteemed by the government, and 
has a seat in the Divan. The Germans, or Ashkena- 
sin are ruled by three men of Russia, one of them, 
the Yakil, has been appointed by the consuls of 
England and Austria. These consuls themselves 
often inquire into the condition of the Jews of Hebron, 
and so all the Europeans are called by the Arabians 
Inglis and Nemshi, viz : Englishmen and Germans. 

There are about four thousand Mohammedan fam- 
ilies living in Hebron, of a rather ugly deportment. 
They at all times carry weapons with them. Their 
garments mainly consist of a long robe of camels' hair. 
Their houses are mostly without windows, as they 
love to sit in the dark. It may be said of a Moslem what 
is said in Ecclesiastes (iii) : He comes in with vanity, 
and departs in darkness. Most of the Mohammedans 
are husbandmen, others make rings and other things 
out of glass, only a few trade in linen and silk, w^hich 
they import from Egypt. There is only one market 
in Hebron. Everything there is in disorder and con- 
fusion, merchants as well as merchandise. In a store 
one would find almost everything — purple and goat 
skins, honey and hides, pitch and coals, spices, and 
amulets for soldiers, to preserve themselves from dan- 
ger. When the merchants have nothing to do, they 
read the Koran, while others spend their time in the 
coffee rooms. 

It will perhaps not be entirely uninteresting to give 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 51 



a short description of Oriental coffee houses, and also 
of their schools, as this will furnish a further idea of the 
state of civilization among the Mohammedans. At 
every market, called Suk, you will find some large old 
buildings, which are coffee-houses, and have high 
cupolas, pillars and boxes on both sides. In the 
centre is a hearth, on which stands large coffee urns 
filled with boiling coffee. Close to them sits the 
landlord, squatting on the ground, who has near him 
a quantity of very small coffee-cups, piled up one on 
the other, and a row of the so-called argile. This is 
a tobacco-pipe, to which is fitted a vessel containing 
water through which the smoke is drawn before it 
reaches the mouth, by means of an elastic tube, rolled 
up in a coil, several yards in length. This produces 
a constant bubbling and boiling noise in the water 
during smoking. There is also a pair of iron fire-tongs, 
called malcot, with which he is ready to serve every 
smoker with a burning coal. On the sides are sort of 
benches, covered with narrow straw mats, and which 
serve the guests as seats. There you will find some 
Arneurt soldiers playing draughts and dice, with looks 
and gestures well calculated to excite the fears of the 
bystanders. Their games often cause them to quarrel 
and fight among themselves. In the background 
you hear the neighing of a wild horse, the bleating 
of a sheep or goat, and the braying of an ass, which 
some of the guests have brought along with them ; and 
thus the coffee-house serves also as a sort of stable, 
the landlord acting as hostler, and taking care of man 
and beast at the same time. At the entrance there is 
hung up in a bag a very young child, perhaps but a few 



52 LECTURE II. 

months old, screaming with all its might, being left 
there by its faithful mother, an industrious Bedouin 
woman, while she attends to her business in the 
market, and wishes to spare herself the trouble of 
carrying it in her arms. Near the door, on the bare 
ground, sleeps a tired Bedouin, covered like the 
drunken Noah in his tent, with his face turned to the 
ground, and who attracts the attention of all present 
by the harmonious sounds which he makes in his sleep. 
On the other side lies a small hillock of charcoal, from 
which the fire is fed, and near which sits a Bedouin 
woman with her dear half-naked boys. The attention 
bestowed on the guests is very simple, and is confined 
to coffee, without milk or sugar, the argiles, and, at 
most, a glass of cold water in addition. 

The Kaffane answers also as an exchange, and 
many a trade is driven there between the Mussulmen. 

Their schools are also in a most miserable condition, 
and it is easy to deduce therefrom the degree of the 
sciences and cultivation which prevails there. In many 
streets you will find small, damp, dark cellars having 
no windows, and in which manner the light is only 
admitted through the door, which always stands open. 
In these there is spread on the floor a large, miserable 
straw mat, and on this are seen with their legs bent 
under them, ten to fifteen boys, from five to twelve, 
or even fifteen years old. In the middle stands a 
teacher with a long stick ; nearly every boy has before 
him a small w^ooden board on which are drawn a few 
Arabic letters, and in this manner do they receive the 
rudiments of their education, which actually amounts 
to no more than a very little knowledge of reading and 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



53 



writing the Arabic. Therefore you will find but few 
citizens who are able to read and write their native 
language. Whoever now is able to do this is consid- 
ered as belonging to the higher classes. The chief ob- 
ject of the education in the schools, is to teach the 
scholars to say by heart the formula of prayers, or 
rather to sing them, as they are nearly all recited in a 
singing tone. You can hear even at a great distance 
the tumultuous and loud shrieking of these boys. One 
thing is quite curious to remark, that all these boys, 
at their prayers as at their other exercises, keep up a 
constant shaking backward and forward, as is often 
done by our Jews when praying or studying. This 
habit is also observed in adult Mohammedans during 
their devotions, and it appears therefore that it must 
be an old Oriental custom. It may readily be imag- 
ined that the teachers themselves have no necessity 
for any high scientific and moral cultivation in order 
to impart the required amount of instruction. In 
some of the schools there is in the middle, a " Wely,' 5 
i. e., a monument of a saint, a pious dervish, or of a 
sheik. The scholars sit, or rather lie, around this 
grave and obtain their education as a memento-morL 
Is it then wonderful that the Mohammedans are so 
far behind the Europeans ? Whence are they to learn 
anything of scientific culture ? Their reading is con- 
fined to the written Koran, and thinking themselves 
perfect already at their birth, they feel no necessity 
for any cultivation or improvement. The name 
Mislamin, Mussulman is etymologically derived from 
the root " Salem," perfect, complete, enlightened, 
faultless, — or a man who has attained perfection in 



54 



LECTURE II. 



all his relations. The title or expression Mali7\i, 
master, or docter, is a term of offence to the Moham 
medans ; therefore they are never addressed by it. 
Should a Mohammedan be called or addressed in this 
manner unawares, he asks very angrily and offended, 
" Ana Malim ?" (am I only a master or learned 
man ?) You have then to apologize, and to say that 
this offence was committed without thougth, without 
any intention of wounding his feelings. 

The salutation " Selarn^ Alikun !" (Peace be with 
you !) should only be used among Mussulmen, but not 
from a non-Mohammedan to a Mohammedan, unless 
to offend him and be offended in turn by his rude 
reply. A non-Mohammedan has to address a follower 
of the Koran with " Allavi ! " (God be present.) 
Selam, should be used only by and to Mislamifrs. 

I will now give a short description of their mar- 
riages and their funerals. Their marriages only take 
place in the evening. The young people about to be 
married are placed under a species of tent made of 
linen, which resembles an inverted chest, and you can 
only see the feet of those who are under it. This 
canopy is carried by slaves, and those thus protected 
have to measure their steps by those of the bearers, 
and are thus in a measure, dragged along. Along- 
side of these slaves walk others with lighted torches 
made of pitch ; then follows a man playing on a large 
kettle-drum, accompanied by several who play on a 
species of bagpipe, the shrill and braying tones of 
which are extremely offensive to the ear. Next follow 
the friends and relatives of the bride and groom, and 
after them a tumultuous mass of men and boys, young 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



55 



and old all mixed up together, the shouting of whom 
is heard nearly all over the city. In this manner the 
procession moves on to Al Charim, where several 
religious ceremonies are performed, and some pray- 
ers recited, and after about half an hour they return 
home. Their funeral is a doleful ceremony. 

The corpse is placed in a coffin, is accompanied by 
the friends and relatives, dervishes, pious sheiks, (sev- 
eral of whom carry palm branches) and many other 
persons, and is thus carried forward amidst continual 
humming, and prayers half chaunted in a deep and 
low voice. Oftentimes I could hear only " Hu Alia," 
He is God ; and the whole prayer consists of nothing 
but these two words, which are repeated innumerable 
times. In this way the funeral proceeds to Al 
Charim, where the coffin is placed on a stone 
destined for this purpose, and after some prayers 
are recited, it is carried for interment outside of 
the city. 

The Jews never take part in the procession, neither 
do they venture to show themselves in their midst 
when their minds are affected by any public or 
private, festive or grievous occasion, be it a funeral or 
a wedding, a meeting or a religious holiday ; and 
truly it would be dangerous for any Jew to come near 
them. Any Mohammedan could insult or maim him 
with impunity, for brought to answer before the jus- 
tice he would plead guiltless, having done it without 
ill will in a kind of excessive trance produced by his 
exorbitant grief or joy, and the wise judge, satisfied 
with this manner of defense, would discharge him on 
such grounds. This is so notorious that the policemen 



56 



LECTURE II. • 



on such occasions do not interfere even when a Jew is 
insulted or beaten before their eyes. 

There are no regular Turkish soldiers in Hebron, 
but a kind of militia or gensd'arms hired by the city 
authorities is garrisoned there, a set of people good 
for nothing and regarded and feared by nobody. 
There is no fear of God nor of the king, and so the 
most wicked murderers and robbers of the country 
find there a good abode to do what they like. The 
city where the pious men once lived is now a city of 
murderers. Where once David reigned, reigns now- 
a-days a set of wild and cruel people. There is no 
monarchy, there is anarchy. It is heartrending to see 
how this city, too, has lost her glory, and one might 
say of her : How is the gold become dim ! How is the 
finest metal changed ! 

But my consolation is that which, according to the 
Talmud, Rabbi Akiba said. One day, it is narrated, 
Rabbi Akiba and some other Rabbis went to visit 
the holy places. When they were near the place 
where the holiest of holy was, they saw a fox running 
over the place. The Rabbis wept bitterly at that 
sight. Rabbi Akiba did not weep : on the contrary 
there was a serene smile upon his face. The other 
Rabbis said to him. " We are crying and thou 
smilest." Said he, " You weep for the fulfillment of 
the words, On the mountain of Zion which is wasted, 
the foxes are running. I laugh for the same reason, 
for I think that in the same way as this prophecy has 
been fulfilled, so also the consoling words of the 
prophets will be fulfilled." And so will also be ful- 
filled what God said : " And I shall remember my 



HEBRON, PAST AND PRESENT. 



57 



covenant with Jacob, with Isaac, and Abraham, and 
also the land I will remember." 

O Lord, merciful God, do not leave thy inheritance 
to be ruled by strangers. Remember thy covenant 
with Abraham, and the offering _of Isaac ; return the 
captives of Jacob, and save us for the sake of thy 
holy name. 



LECTURE III. 



Shechem and the Samaritans. The City of Zephath, in Upper 
Galilee, and present condition of its inhabitants. Tiberias. 
The sea Genesareth and the Mineral Springs, &c. 



many reminiscences. My principal aim is to give a 
description of the four cities regarded as lioly by my 
brethren the Jews, but I can not omit notice of another 
city of high antiquity, mentioned often in the bible, the 
City of Shechem, called in later times Neapolis, and now- 
a-days Nablas. This city is interesting not on account 
of the Jews, for there are only a few there, but on 
account of the Samaritans, whose only abode is in that 
city. 

It is a remark of the Talmud that Shechem is an 
unfortunate place. Joseph going to the valley of 
Shechem was sold by his brothers ; in Shechem the divis- 
ion of the kingdom of David took place ; and even now 
Shechem is inhabited by a sect who are the greatest 
enemies of the Jews, although they are partly de- 
scended from them. It is as if this city had been 
destined by Providence to be at all times the snare 
and stumbling block of Israel, the antagonist of the 
holy City of Jerusalem. The city is situated in one of 




?HERE is perhaps no country in the world 
like Palestine, where the names of rivers, 
mountains and cities, small and insignificant 
as they may be in themselves, awaken so 



SHECHEM. 



59 



the most delightful vales in Palestine, with the mount 
of Ebal on the north and Gerizin on the south. It is 
surrounded by walls, and the houses are very old and 
strongly built. There is an abundance of springs of 
sweet water ; the chief products are olive-trees, which 
grow there in great numbers, cotton and tobacco. The 
city, under another government, would be one of the 
most flourishing, but it is in the hands of an unculti- 
vated and wild people. The Arabians who inhabit 
ITablas resemble the Druses of the mountain of 
Lebanon. They are known for their brutality, cruelty 
and fierceness. The murders, which happen there 
oftener than in any other place, are never punished. 
The Government from its weakness keeps its eyes 
closed. There are about 2,000 Mohammedans fami- 
lies. They are all exceedingly wealthy. Their chief 
trade is olive-oil, soap, and cotton, which they sele 
partly in the country and partly to European merchants. 
Immense quantities of these products are brought to 
the sea-ports of Kaiffa, Acre and Tappa, and from 
there are shipped to other countries. Nablas, or 
Shechem, belonged formerly to the tribe of Joseph, and 
the blessing given to Joseph that his land shall be 
blessed of the Lord, for the dew of heaven and the 
deep that watcheth beneath this blessing, exists even 
now. It is a blessed city, and without great care the 
Arabians gather immense riches. But although they 
live in this paradise they do not think of touching the 
tree of knowledge to learn wisdom or morals. There 
is no friendship among them ; they are a wild 
set of people, quarreling incessantly with each 
other. 



60 



LECTURE III. 



There are thirty Jewish families there, all of Span- 
ish descent. They live together in one small district 
assigned to them. They have nothing to suffer from 
the Arabians, they are too poor and wretched. It is 
their poverty which defends them. The Christians, 
mostly Greeks, number about 120 families ; they are • 
likewise without any power. Only the Samaritans 
are flourishing, and so strong and powerful that they 
can resist any attack on the part of the Arabians. The 
Samaritans number 130 persons, are all rich and 
possess houses, fields and vineyards. They speak and 
write correctly the Arabic language, so that some of 
them are employed as secretaries at the court and the 
custom house. "With the exception that they wear a 
red turban their dress does not differ from that of the 
Arabians. Their writing is the so-called Asharith ; 
they speak also Hebrew, but their pronunciation is so 
far different that they employ very often the vowel a. 
They consider themselves the real Israelites. They 
have a high priest who, they say, is descended from 
Aaron ; and, in some w^ay, that their Pentateuch was 
written by Ahishua, a grandson of Aaron. Their 
prayers consist in a few verses taken from the Penta- 
teuch, which they repeat innumerable times. They 
visit their house of worship only on Sabbath-day. 
Before entering it they take off their shoes. They are 
dressed in white garments when they enter, and like 
the Mohammedans in saying their prayers, they bow 
their heads and bend their knees very often, with their 
faces ahvays turned toward the Garizim, their holy 
mountain. They shout out their prayers, shaking 
their bodies without any order. When the prayer is 



SHECHEM. 



61 



over the high priest takes out the holy scrolls, the writ- 
ten Pentateuch, from the shrine, lifts it up and down 
several times, while the people lift their voices in 
shoutings, in honor of the laws of Moses. The high 
priest then reads a few passages from the scroll and 
so ends the divine service. These people keep the 
Sabbath very strictly. They have no candles lighted, 
but sit in the dark. They do not even leave their 
houses on that day, except to go into the house of 
prayers. They do not eat anything cooked on Sab- 
bath, and in the same manner observe all the festivals. 
On the eve of Passover every family purchases a 
young lamb, and go in procession to the mountains of 
Garizim. There every one takes his lamb as it is, 
pierces it through and roasts it on a spit destined for 
that purpose, and then the pieces of this holy meal are 
distributed and swallowed with great eagerness, as a 
wolf would devour a sheep. Besides offering this 
sacrifice they erect tents on the Garizim and tarry 
there all the days of the Passover, eating none but 
unleavened bread. But although they keep most of 
the commandments of the Jewish faith, in the princi- 
pal part they seem to differ. The Hebrew name of 
God is never mentioned in their prayers, they, instead 
of it, saying Ashima. This Ashima seems to be the 
old idol of the Samaritans mentioned in II Kings, 
chapter xvii, and seems to have been kept in tradition 
since that time. The Turks would say to a Samaritan : 
" Swear by Ashima," for they know this to be their 
name for God. 

Shechem was the city where, under Jeroboam, idol- 
atry was first introduced, audit seems that the Ashima 



62 



LECTURE III. 



of the Samaritans is still a relict of the old idolatry 
practiced in Shechem. 

I will now speak about two other cities ; first of 
Zephath, in upper Galilee, on the top of a mountain, 
which belongs to the range of Naphtali. It has no 
walls ; the houses are built without order, partly be- 
low and partly on high. There are streets which are 
higher than the roofs of many houses. The city is 
divided into two parts. In the western part live the 
Jews, in the eastern the Arabians ; between them is 
the top of the mountain. The city is surrounded by 
thousands of olive trees. The air is exceedingly 
healthy ; even in summer it is fresh and cool. But 
there is no cleanliness in the streets nor in the houses. 
Everywhere one sees dungeons. They kill their goats 
and lambs in the streets, and what is left there infects 
the air badly. With regard to the Jews, Zephath is 
the principal city of Palestine, their number there ex- 
ceeding that of Jerusalem. The Jews of Zephath, 
where they have been living for 380 years, are strong 
and valiant. Some of them are even feared by the 
native Arabians. They dress in the Arabian style, 
and speak the Arabic language so correctly that by 
their speech they would be taken for Arabians instead 
of Jews. In the year 1834 Zephath was plundered 
by Arabians, in whose power it was for two months. 
At that time some twenty Jews, dressed in the garb 
of the Arabians and armed like them, went into the 
houses as if for plundering, but only in order to save 
their goods. They also cursed their brethren the 
Jews, but only apparently. The Arabians believed 
them to be robbers and plunderers like themselves. 



ZEPHATH. 



63 



Besides this calamity the inhabitants of Zephath 
had to suffer manifold oppressions and vexations from 
the Druses and Arabians, and as if that had not been 
enough, they were visited by earthquakes, plagues and 
pestilence. It is impossible to describe all the mis- 
fortunes they had to endure, and at the same time it 
is astonishing that they nevertheless stayed in that 
unhappy city. But the fact is, that the Jews are gen- 
erally a stiff-necked and enduring people, and would 
not yield to any misfortune. Now-a-days there live 
about 1,200 Jewish families in Zephath ; 700 are from 
Germany, Russia, and Galicia ; the other 500 are of 
Spanish descent, and hail for the most part from 
Africa. They are principally tradesmen or mechanics, 
a few only being engaged in the study of the Bible 
and the Talmud. As an exceptional case it may be 
remarked, that women are also in the stores, selling 
and buying, contrary to the general costum. 

In Zephath the Rabbis do not exercise so much power 
as in Jerusalem and Hebron. Nevertheless the Jews liv- 
ing there are strict adherents of the laws of Moses. 
They fulfill every commandment out of love, not from 
fear. But besides their religious exercises they are 
given to superstition, and, like the Arabians, trust 
more in magic cures than in medicines, and give more 
credit to a sorcerer than to all the physicians. This is 
especially the case with the Africans. As a kind of re- 
ligious ceremony it is their custom to visit the graves of 
the pious men of the Jews, and prostrate themselves 
on the ground where they are buried. A most holy 
place of this kind is the grave of R. Simon ben Jochai 
one of the oldest Rabbis of the Talmud. Near the west 



64 



LECTURE III. 



ern part of the city, in a village called Meron, in the 
court of a Jew, is the grave of R. Simon, on which a 
synagogue has been built. The whole court, with the 
many houses therein, belong to Jews. Every year, on 
the 18th day of the month Ijar, the anniversary of the 
death of the Rabbi is celebrated, in the following way : 
Thousands and thousands of men and women assemble 
around the burial ground. It is a day of joy, like a 
great family festival. They express their happiness 
by singing songs, dancing and jumping, eating and 
drinking, all kinds of food being brought there for sale. 
They shoot with guns, exercise with swords and spears, 
in the manner of the Arabians, and many Arabians 
also partake of the festival. But it would not be ad- 
visable then for any Arabian to begin a quarrel 
with a Jew, for he would risk his life in doing so* 
Notwithstanding the immense crowd, there is no dis- 
order or quarreling ; there is nothing but joy, peace 
and harmony, as if the Temple had been rebuilt and 
the Jews were again the masters of the land. In the 
beginning of the night the Shames, or sexton, calls : 
"Hadlakah," that is, light ; and then begins the auction 
of light, and he who pays the most has the first right 
to it. The lighting is as follows : Near the grave 
there is a gutter, made of marble, and filled with olive 
oil. The persons who are so rich as to pay for it bring 
the best clothes of silk, adorned with gold and silver, 
dip them in the oil and light and burn them in honor 
of the Rabbi. The most valuable clothes are consumed 
in this way ; and they pour out the oil, as freely as if it 
were water, to make the fire still greater. The exult- 
ation at this ceremony is indescribable. The same 



ZEPHATH. 



65 



ceremony takes place on the grave of the son of It. 
Simon It. Eliezer. Besides this fire, there are innum- 
erable lamps burning, which by their light change the 
night into day. All the night through they eat and 
drink, dance and sing, and play timbrels and other 
instruments. In the morning every one says his pray- 
ers near the grave. Then they bring the scroll of the 
Pentateuch into the court. This roll, or Sefer Thora y 
is richly adorned ; it has a golden crown and pomme- 
granates of silver, and is inclosed in a case of silver. 
It is carried around, while before it they carry a flag 
of green silk embroidered with gold, adorned with a 
golden apple, and with the figure of a rose. This ban- 
ner is considered as that of the tribe of Judah, and the 
people on seeing both the flag and the holy roll, give 
vent to their joy in jubilation and shouting. It is as if 
the law had just been given to them. Their exultation 
is far greater than can be described ; it is impossible 
to form even an idea of their joyful enthusiasm and 
their fiery and passionate merriment. After the pro- 
cession they bring the roll into its former place with 
songs and hymns. There is especially one song in 
praise of It. Simon which is sung. Then they bring 
their children with music and song, dressed in the most 
precious dresses, to the same place. They are brought 
first to the grave of It. Simon, and then to that of It. 
Jochanan. Although it is only ten minutes' walk from 
one grave to the other, the procession being accom- 
panied by song, plays and fireworks, it takes two hours. 
When there, the hair of the children is cut, with the 
exception of the fore part near the ear, according to 
the Jewish custom. This ceremony is called the 
5 



66 



LECTURE III. 



Chalake, that is, " cutting of the hair." During this 
time rose-water is sprinkled on the faces, and wine, 
brandy and confectioneries are presented to every one. 
There is no minute of rest ; but continual singing and 
shouting. Every one sings or shouts whatever comes 
into his mind. As the- people gathered there come 
from the most distant places, from Persia, from Media, 
Babylonia, Damascus, &c, one hears different lan- 
guages ^nd sees the most different dresses. This 
ceremony is an old tradition. They say that this 
" Festival of R. Simon," is a source of great joy to 
the soul of the great Rabbi, seeing the happiness of 
his co-religionists. You thus see that the Jews in 
Palestine have their anniversaries, when they assemble 
in praise of those who are gone. 

The Jews in Zephath live in peace with the Ish- 
maelites, but the partisans of Abd-el-Kader, who have 
lived there the past sixteen years, are not at all 
friendly to them, but are rather their enemies. As 
in all the cities of Galilee the government has no 
authority in Zephath. There is only one consul 
there, that of Austria, who does his best to defend the 
J ews against harm. 

Another holy place is the city of Tiberias, in Lower 
Galilee, so-called by Herod in honor of the Emperor 
Tiberias. Tiberias was at all times the seat of learn- 
ing for the Jews after the destruction of the Temple. 
The Sanhedrim was there, and the Rabbis of the Tal- 
mud of Jerusalem taught there. The wise men of 
Tiberias are often mentioned. Like the Mishna, the 
Massora originated in Tiberiah. For this reason the . 
city is dear to every Jew. Tiberiah lies near the lake 



TIBERIAS. 



67 



of Genesareth. It is a small city ; the walls have 
been erected by Sultan Soliman. The buildings are 
not at all strong, they resemble more the Arabian 
tents than houses. They are indeed so slightly built 
that no winter passes without the crumbling down of 
some of them. But as rapid as they fall, with the 
same rapidity they are built up again, every one 
being his own architect. The climate is not healthy. 
From the month of May until that of November the 
burning heat is unbearable. The inhabitants go then 
to the shores of the sea Genesareth to inhale the fresh 
air. Their winter is more agreeable, the air being 
then so mild that people sleep with doors and win- 
dows open. There are two things the inhabitants of 
Tiberiah are proud of and which they enjoy — the lake 
of Genesareth and the thermal Springs. The lake is 
twelve miles long and five miles broad ; its water is 
highly agreeable and very good to drink. It contains 
a quantity of good fish, and is always covered with 
small boats going to and fro. The Jordan in its 
course passes through this lake, but its waters do not 
mingle with that of the lake, and the water of the 
Jordan can be distinguished throughout its course. 
The Jordan there resembles the people of Israel, who 
though intermixed with so many nations, are never 
lost among them, but keep its own nature. The waters 
of the lake are generally very quiet, but sometimes 
they get disturbed and overflowing, go as to inundate 
the adjacent places. The lake of Genesareth is an 
inexhaustible source of joy and health to those who 
live near it. They use it for drinking as well as for 
bathing. The hot springs of mineral water are at the 



68 



LECTURE III. 



distance of a mile from the city. They taste bitter 
and salty and their temperature is 145 degrees. 
There are two springs very near each other, and both 
surrounded with buildings, but a beautiful building 
around one of the springs is decaying, and nobody 
thinks of repairing it. It was erected by Ibrahim 
Pasha. Near every spring is a large basin of marble 
wherein the people bathe. The waters are known 
for their efficacy more especially in cases of rheu- 
matism; but they are considered a remedy against 
any disease. Whoever in Galilee feels himself sick 
goes there to get health ; but there are also people 
coming from more distant countries. All ages and 
all creeds are represented there, and the bathing 
places are always crowded. An Arabian called Ach- 
med has usurped the lordship over these places. 
Those who want to take a bath must ask him, must 
pay him, and if he chooses to do so he would by force 
expel one in order to give the permission to another, 
a greater favorite or richer ; — all depends on the bak- 
shish. As this Achmed is a Sheik, and consequently 
a holy person, nobody would allow himself to inter- 
fere with his brutal despotism. As there is no rule, 
he is the supreme. If those thermal springs were in 
any other country, their renown would be very great, 
and people from the most distant places would come 
thither. .But the Mohammedans do not appreciate 
them according to their great value. The govern- 
ment does not take any care in the amelioration or 
embellishment of those places. It is as if it con- 
sidered itself only as a momentary usurper, who per- 
haps will be obliged to cede the place to another very 



TIBERIAS. 



69 



soon. Perhaps it is not wrong to consider its power 
and dominion as only temporary and transitory. So, 
for instance, the coins stamped by the Government 
are of less value than those of other countries, and the 
foreign money is much more esteemed than the indig- 
enous. 

There are in Tiberiah about 400 Arabian families of 
rather repulsive appearance. Many of them are not 
at all strict observers of the Koran. They, as I my- 
self have seen, drink wine in the Jewish houses, and 
eat pork in the Christian houses ; and they do that 
openly, not in secret. The Jews in Tiberiah number 
-500 families, being the same mixture as in the city of 
Zephath, from the many calamities they have had to 
suffer. Of these I shall mention a few. In the year 
1812, four-fifths of the Jews died in consequence of a 
great epidemic. In 1834, some Arabian tribes in- 
vaded the city and compelled the Jews to give chawwi 
— that is, silver — as a sign of fraternity and love. The 
unfortunate Jews gave all they had to those robbers, 
who else would have murdered them. In 1847 there 
was an earthquake, wherein 600 Jews lost their lives, 
being buried under their own houses. When the 
cholera was in Palestine, in 1864, it raged most vio- 
lently in Tiberiah. Notwithstanding these calamities 
the Jews cherish this city and establish themselves 
there more and more. The trade is all in the hands 
of the Jews, who in this respect are far superior to 
the Ishmaelites. They bring goods from Damascus 
and other places, are highly industrious and active, 
and all possess real estate. They are moreover, re- 
nowned for their beautiful appearance in regard to 



70 



LECTURE III. 



their body as well as their dress ; for their cleanliness, 
their love and friendship to each other, and the content 
with which they enjoy and make others enjoy their 
lives. Living is less expensive in Tiberiah than in the 
other cities. Every thing is cheap there. And the 
fact that no one ought to be anxious how to make his 
living contributes certainly to the easy and mild dispo- 
sition of the mind. How happy the Jews would be if 
they were not like strangers on the soil of their ances- 
tors ; if they were not under the sway of the Moham- 
medan. The want of Europeans in this place is also to 
be considered as an unhappy circumstance, for they 
would bring more life and industry into the country.. 
But the Jews are waiting for the time when every 
one, as in the times of Solomon, will sit under his* 
vine and fig tree. And the manifold misfortunes 
they have had to endure rather increase their hope 
that this time will come ; that just as the foretold ca- 
lamities have been fulfilled, so also the prospect of 
happiness and freedom will be realized, according to 
the consoling words of the Prophet Jeremiah : " And 
I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that 
I will not turn away from them, to do them good- 
Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and 1 
will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole 
heart, and with my whole soul. For thus said the 
Lord : As I have brought all this great evil upon, 
this people, so I will bring upon them all the good, 
that I have promised them. And again there shall 
be heard in this place, which ye say to be desolate 
without man and without beast, in the cities of Judah 
and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, there 



TIBERIAS. 



71 



will be heard the voice of joy and gladness, the voice 
of the bridegroom and of the bride, the voice of them 
that shall say, Praise the Lord for he is good, hk 
mercy endureth forever ! For I will cause to return 
the captivity of the land as at first." 




LECTUKE IV. 



The Future of Palestine. The Redemption of Israel. 
The Universal Salvation, etc. 

^P^^^ N the foregoing lectures I endeavored to 
t jfii s h° w ^ e situation of the Holy Land and to 
give a synopsis of her manifold vicissitudes of 
the past as well as of the vital power still 
remaining in her to-day. It was the finger of God 
which I was trying to show ; a writing, so to speak, 
in indelible characters — a lapidary inscription. But 
now I am going to speak about the future with refer- 
ence to the return of the Hebrews to the land of their 
forefathers. This is a great subject, which has already 
been treated by men greater, wiser and better than 
myself. But although these men are for the most part 
right, it nevertheless happens that occasionally the 
teacher overlooks something which the pupil, helped 
by the sagacity of his teacher and his own judgement, 
may rightly speak of. And therefore I will take up 
the same subject again, endeavoring, with the help of 
God, to give my own opinion besides that of others. 

Since my youth questions concerning the Holy Land 
have engaged my attention, and reflections on the way 
in which she might recover her ancient glory have 
more than once banished sleep from my eyes ; and 
well could I say, as is said in Solomon's song : I sleep, 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



73 



hut my heart wakes — (the voice of my beloved that 
Imocketh). It was my beloved country that filled my 
dreams. 

I was always anxious to hear the opinion of wise 
men, Hebrews as well as Chirstians, to find out what 
each of them according to his standpoint considered 
the right answer to the question concerning the fu- 
ture state of the Jews and Palestine, and I shall do 
my best to lay before you their various sentiments. 
I hope that my words will be agreeable to all those 
who beleive in the law of God and in the words of the 
prophets. I should however not be astonished if some 
of my Hebrew brethren, even, would not agree with 
me. For although they have before them the Bible, 
wherein the return of the people of Israel to their 
fatherland is foretold by nearly every seer and prophet, 
.still it is quite natural that in the course of time their 
lively hope of a brighter future vanished, and that 
other ideas superseded those which once filled the 
heart of every Jew. Nevertheless I shall consider 
more oppisite views with the same feeling of friendship 
and fraternity. 

As long as man lives he hopes ; and we see that even 
a man on the point of death recovers hope and strength 
as soon as he notices some amelioration of his condi- 
tion. It is the same with the people of Judah. With 
reference to the restoration of the ancient state of 
things, it was, through all those centuries, like that 
other sick man in the East, all hope of a reconstruction 
of the former state of things was gone. But in our' 
days there arose a light, the Sun of Judea, as the pro- 
phet says (Malachi iv, 2), and healing with its wings — 



74 



LECTURE IV. 



the Sun of Justice, of Liberty. And it was in the 
"West, in the country of America, that this Sun rose r 
sending his healing beams all around the world. And 
in the same way as the dry bones, mentioned in Eze- 
kiel, received a new spirit and were alive again,, so we 
may hope that the new spirit of the times will vivify 
the dry bones of Israel and bring with it salvation. 

Respecting the return of Israel, their are six ques- 
tions to be solved. The first and main question is 
Will they return ? The second : In what way and 
manner are they to return ? The third : At what 
time ? Fourth : Will they all return or only a part 
of them ? Fifth : Will their sojourn and dominion in 
their country be advantageous only to themselves or 
to other people also ? Sixth : Will the fulfillment of 
that be dependent on them or also on others ? 

Among the Hebrews there are three different opin- 
ions concerning these questions. Some say : It is 
absurd to think of a coming restoration ; things will 
be as they are now ; there is no such thing as a future 
Messiah ; and it would be best for the Hebrews not to> 
think of their ancient home as such again, but to con- 
sider the country they are living in as their real and 
only fatherland ; the more so as they there enjoy all 
rights and liberties, and as the highest offices are open 
to them. But this is generally the opinion of those 
who live in countries where no difference is made 
between the believers in one creed and another.. 
They do not think of the manifold oppressions and 
vexations which the Jews have to suffer in other 
countries where they are more or less ill treated on 
account of their faith. Besides, this opinion is in 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



opposition to the Holy Writ as well as to common 
sense ; for who would deny that the Jews will have 
an honored position among all nations only when they~ 
are no longer dispersed over all parts of the globe r 
but have a country of their own ? Could it possibly 
be the destiny of the Jews never to have a ruler of 
their own, but always to be the subjects of other 
nations ? always like sheep without a shepherd ? 
Could it possibly be that all Israelites should remain 
indifferent to the land of their forefathers, to the land 
and city in whose defense thousands of thousands shed 
their blood? Could the country be indifferent to- 
them where are the graves of their forefathers, of the 
kings and prophets ? Can it be imagined that the 
city which the Lord has chosen to reside in should 
forever be barren and desolate; or should God not 
keep his promise to gather all the outcasts of Israel ? 
No, my friends ! Whoever believes in the words of 
God will not allow such a thought to enter his mind y 
moreover, it would be against all justice and reason. 

There are many other Jews, especially those with- 
out any profound knowledge, who believe in a restora- 
tion of the former glory ; who believe that the material 
as well as the interior circumstances of the Holy Land 
will undergo a change for the better. But they think 
that this change is to spring forth suddenly ; not in a 
natural way, but through signs and wonders, in a 
miraculous manner ; that the advent of the Messiah 
will be accompanied by a sudden revolution, wherein 
all the Kingdoms will be shaken, and all the world 
will tremble ; and that on the same day the Lord will 
make shine forth his light over all nations " that they 



76 



LECTURE IV. 



may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him 
with one consent, and that all that will be done at the 
same time. They further maintain, that no human 
being could foretell the time when this great salvation 
is to come ; that no human effort could accelerate its 
advent, but that it depends entirely upon the will of 
the Lord. That, consequently, we cannot do any- 
thing else but to implore the mercy of God to grant 
us salvation. 

This is the answer of those who tremble at the word 
of God, and in whose hearts the hope of salvation is 
deeply rooted from generation to generation ; espe- 
cially those who live in a state of humiliation and 
oppression, nourish the hope that the heavenly mercy 
will bring them help and liberty and salvation in a 
supernatural way. 

Now, although this opinion is founded upon the 
Holy Writ ; although this eternally-flowing stream of 
hope has its source in the mountains of holiness, in 
manifold prophecies pointing, in a literary sense, to a 
future and spiritual salvation, still this view is errone- 
ous and against common sense. It is true that the 
Almighty could change the laws of nature, and that 
the same will and word which called forth the Universe 
out of nothing could do and has done signs and won- 
ders without number. But it is clearly to be seen 
that God does not change the course of nature and 
history, only in exceptional cases. Already Solomon 
has said : There is nothing new under the sun ; the 
thing that has been, is that which shall be, and that 
which is done is that which shall be done. 

We see, for instance, that all the wonders done in 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



7T 



Egypt were an urgent necessity of time and circum- 
stances. If Pharaoh had sent away the Israelites, the 
first-born of the Egyptians would not have been slain. 
If he had not pursued them, the Red Sea would not 
have been divided. And although God hardened the 
heart of Pharaoh, still he had in the beginning his own 
free will. The wonders which were then done against 
the laws of nature were in order to show the nations 
of the earth the power and omnipotence of God ; for 
at that time the belief in an Almighty Being was cer- 
tainly not as widely spread as it is to-day. In the same 
we find that at the entering of the Israelites in the 
Holy Land, it was said to them : I will not drive them 
out from before thee in one year, lest the land become 
desolate. By little and little I will drive them out 
before thee. 

From these and similar passages we see, that it is 
not the will of God to do so many wonders with refer- 
ence to material welfare. It is equally hard to believe 
that in one moment, through wonderful events, all the 
nations of the earth should be purified, and that they 
all, as one man, should suddenly become better and 
more pious than before. Do we not see that even the 
Israelites, when they were prepared and sanctified to 
receive the Law on Mount Sinai, dared not hear di- 
rectly the voice of God, but said to Moses : Speak thou 
to us, and may not the Lord speak to us, or else we- 
should die. And did they not, shortly after having 
received the Law, relapse so far as to worship the 
golden calf ? Therefore we may say : In the same way 
as a child is only gradually accustomed to eat strong 
food, so the heavenly manna, the Spirit of God, is to> 



78 



LECTURE IV. 



descend gradually. And as the day is preceded by 
dawn, so God does not send full light at once, but the 
darkness will disappear by degrees and the sun grad- 
ually rise. 

If we consider all that has happened since the de- 
struction of the Temple till to-day, it seems to me we 
must come to the conclusion that the scattering of the 
Jews among the nations was for the good of mankind 
at large ; for it was during and through this time that 
the belief in one God was more and more diffused 
among the nations. The human understanding came 
to the knowledge of one God, while on the other hand 
the translation of the Bible in so many foreign languages 
greatly aided the diffusion of this knowledge. And 
so was fulfilled what God said to Abraham i Through 
thy seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. 
And so we see how, since the destruction ctf the 
Temple and since the dispersion of the Jews, the belief 
in one God was more and more strengthened, while 
idolatry lost more and more ground. It was the true 
God who expelled all the false gods from their temples 
and from the hearts of men, where he is reigning now. 

Providence leads mankind in the same way as a 
wise nursing father carries the child, by gradual 
education. The education and elevation of mankind 
to higher and purer ideas is going on slowly, as nature 
herself goes on transitionally, step by step. So* are 
we to conclude that the salvation of Israel will take 
place in a natural way, by continual degrees and not 
through sudden miracles. Those who expect signs 
and wonders, instead of a natural development, are 
rather too credulous ; their belief goes to # o far, while 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



79 



their understanding is too narrow to enter into the 
real mind and meaning of the Holy Writ. If they 
would consider the works of God in history and 
nature, they would give up their false opinion. 

But here is another view which agrees both with the 
word of God and with the human understanding — and 
this seems to me to be the true and right one : Many 
of the wise men of the Jews say that the future salva- 
tion is a two-fold salvation ; one the amelioration of 
their material welfare only, the other the spiritual and 
intellectual improvement of which all the inhabitants 
of the earth will partake in various means and ways. 
According to them the material welfare and happiness 
of Israel, her return to and rule over the land of her 
forefathers, will be through natural development, with- 
out any supernatural aid. The tree of Judah will get 
new life again just as flowers and fruits spring forth 
from the ground. And this will be fulfilled when 
religious liberty will reign all over the earth, and 
when the sun of knowledge will shine over all the in- 
habitants of the world. At that time when there will 
be no barrier between nation and nation, no separating 
line between man and man, when all will be considered 
equal, as having been made in the image of the one 
God ; when the unity of the Creator will be reflected 
in the unity of his creatures, then will they rise all 
the mighty rulers of earth, to render to the Israelites 
the inheritance of their ancestors, and to put at their 
head a ruler from the house of Judah. And this great 
idea will spring forth from the midst of Israel ; its great 
and wise men will suggest and awaken and call forth 
this event, and they will all join in one great alliance 



80 



LECTURE IV. 



to bring Israel back again to her former glory. But 
as they alone will not have sufficent power to realize 
this great project, other nations will lend them, their 
assistance in order to carry out their long-cherished 
hope. 

It will be through a natural development that their 
hearts will be moved and awakened to bring Israel to 
peace and rest. And from this, their political audi 
material prosperity, will flow forth that moral and 
spiritual welfare which is the aim of all men. 

According to those men, the political restoration of 
Israel will only depend on the efforts of the Israelites 
and on the kings and rulers who are guided by truth 
and justice. And such is the will of God, with the 
advent of the Messiah. 

And the salvation which is to come to all nations 
will be fulfilled in a wonderful way. 

This opinion has been expressed by great and wise 
men of Israel who, centuries ago, inspired by divine 
wisdom, expounded the word of God. Rabbi Simeon 
ben Yuchai, the light and star of many thousands of 
Israelites, says in his book : At the time when the 
Holy One (blessed be his name) is going to< deliver 
Israel, a small ray of light first will appear for those 
who are in darkness, and this light will by degrees 
diffuse itself more and more. The Midrash says, in 
a similar way : The salvation of Israel will come 
little by little. Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (called 
Ramban) says : The salvation will first be by the will 
of the kings, and only partly, and then for the second 
time the gathering of Israel will be a complete one ; 
as it is said : The Lord will turn thy captivity and 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



81 



will gather thee from all the nations (Vth book of 
Moses 30, 3). Rabbi David Kimchi says : The salva- 
tion is the Lord's, but he will bring it through the 
hand of men ; and just as God awakened the spirit of 
Cyrus to let the Israelites return, so will he incline 
the minds of the rulers to send the Israelites to their 
country. 

The words which have been said by our great men 
in times of darkness have enlightened the eyes of the 
wise men living in our time, who see them verified 
through the signs of the times. We see now that the 
view of those ancients was a right one, and a satisfac- 
tory answer to all the questions propounded, and ac- 
ceptable alike to God and men. From them we learn 
that the salvation is first to be a partial one ; and, says 
Isaiah, you will be gathered one by one ; and further 
he says, It will spring forth like a root from a barren 
land ; and again : For ye shall not go out with haste, 
nor go by flight. (Isaiah 52, 12.) That the salvation 
of Israelites is to be brought about by their own 
efforts is said by Hoseas : And the sons of Judah and 
Israel will gather together and appoint themselves a 
head and they shall come up out of the land. The 
assistance of foreign kings is expressed clearly in the 
words (Isaiah 60, 10) : And the sons of strangers shall 
build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister with 
thee ; and further, (49, 22,) thus says the Lord : Be- 
hold I will lift up my hands to the Gentiles and set 
up my standard to the people, and they shall bring 
thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be 
carried on their shoulders. And how from the salva- 
tion of Israel will spring forth the general salvation of 
6 



82 



LECTURE IV. 



all nations, is expressed in the words of Zeplianiah 
(3, 9) : For tlien will I turn to the nations a pure 
language, that they may all call upon the name of 
the Lord to serve him with one consent. 

As in the primordial time there was only one 
language and one speech, so will there be again but 
one language for all men. And with the extinction 
of the difference of languages will certainly be extin- 
guished the difference of creeds and national enmities. 
The same unity which reigned before the building of 
the Babylonian tower will reign again ; one God, one 
world. All will pray to the one God in one language 
— none will consider his own belief as the only true 
one. There will be one great light of humanity 
shining over all ! Who can foretell all the happiness 
which will be diffused through the universal light 
beaming down from heaven ! There will be no lon- 
ger religious controversy and dispute ; those who go 
out to catch the souls of Israelites with the net of 
Peter, to bring them into the bosom of the all -saving 
church, will give up their vain efforts. The house of 
Judah and Israel will not be despised any more, for 
all those who see them will say : Behold, they are the 
seed of God. 

But we may nevertheless labor to hasten this happy 
time, by fulfilling the will of God. God may fulfill 
our wish and desire. We should make all efforts to 
elevate Israel to a higher position, and the remainder 
will be done by God. 

And now, my friends, if we look around, we shall 
find that the signs of the times are such, as to allow 
the hope of a fulfillment of the prophecies. Every 



THE FUTURE OF PALESTINE. 



83 



thing is in favor of it, nothing is against it . In France 
there is already a Society in existence called the 
Universal Israelite Alliance, whose aim is to ameliorate 
the state of Jews all over the world. The central seat 
of this Society is at Paris, but its benevolent tendencies 
spread over all parts where Jew T s live. Never before was 
there anything like it. In Palestine fields have been 
purchased and buildings have been erected, which are 
all sure signs that the salvation is not far distant, 
that it is approaching nearer and nearer. And so we 
see already fulfilled the words of Jeremiah : " For 
again they will buy fields and vineyards in this coun- 
try." 

The example of Abraham teaches us what we have 
to do. God had said to Abraham, that he would give 
him and his seed the land of Palestine for all time to 
come. But nevertheless Abraham purchased the 
burial ground in Hebron ; he paid for it 400 shekels 
of silver, and did not murmur against God. There- 
from we may learn that he who believes in God is to 
wait till it pleases him to fulfill his promise, and so 
we may wait for the goodness of God as well as for 
the benevolence which the rulers and princes will 
show to Israel. 

It is an undeniable fact that from this country of 
America the first light went out to shine upon the 
other countries, and it will be this light again which 
will shine benevolently upon the lily of Jacob that it 
may blossom again ; the rose of J ericho, by the help 
of this light, may again assume new life and strength. 
They will be among those who will call the sons of 
Israel to ascend the holy mountain, and the flag of 



84 



LECTURE IV. 



freedom will wave over the holy ground. The time of 
which it is said, " Zion will be redeemed with justice 
and her converts with righteousness," (Isaiah 1, 27) is 
coming. The documents which testify to the rights of 
Israel in regard to the Holy Land are well known all 
over the world ; the holy bible is our testimony, and 
the prophets are our witnesses. 

Therefore it is the sacred duty of every one to 
make all effort to awaken the hearts of those who are 
rulers of justice and kings of mercy, that they come 
to our help to bring us to our ancient home. 

In standing here, in the free country of America, 
amid so many intelligent men, who believe in God 
and whose eyes are open to his doings, 1 cherish the 
hope that the words and wishes which I have expressed 
will be accepted benevolently. I hope that those 
whose hearts may have been moved by my words, 
will speak in behalf of the holy object ; that they, to 
whom God has given the power of eloquence, will be 
the advocates of His land and people. 

I know that there are many wise men among 
Christians who agree with me in regard to the res- 
toration of Israel and her political welfare. They 
differ from me only in what regards the universal sal- 
vation, and through whom it is to come. But they 
all believe that the day is not far off when all hearts 
will be united in one unity ; and they, too, expect the 
great light to come. For my part I do not wish to enter 
into controvesies about things hidden to us, only in 
order to awaken the idea of good and right. I shall re- 
peat the words of the prophet Malachi (2, 10) : " Have 
we not all one father ? Has not one God created us ?" 



The Labors of the Author in the United States. 



RABBI SNEERSOHN AND PRESIDENT GRANT. 

Among the callers on the President yesterday was the Rabbi 
Sneersohn, from Jerusalem, whose lectures on the Holy Land, and 
whose interview with the Secretary of State have been alluded to in 
our columns within a week past. Accompanied with two or three 
private friends, his presence broke in on the informaL reception 
given in his chair by the President to many whom he was favoring 
with a few words of private conversation. The President rose 
courteously to receive the Rabbi, who addressed him in the lan- 
guage which follows : 

' 4 Me. President : Permit me to give my thanks to the Al- 
mighty, whose mercy brought me here to behold the face of the 
chosen by the millions of this great nation. Blessed be the Lord, 
who imparted from his wisdom and from his honor to a mortal ! I 
come to your Excellency from the East, where the glory of your 
deeds of valor, your candor, and your justice have penetrated, ta 
entreat you in the name of God, who created all men equal, to 
listen to the prayer of your humble servant, standing before you to 
advocate the cause of his oppressed brethren in the Holy Land. 
The Israelites in Palestine possess no political or civil rights what- 
ever, and, of times deprived of protection by the representatives of 
the civilized nations which the Christians enjoy, are exposed to 
violence and arbitrary rule. The only shelter the Israelites occa- 
sionally find is in the courts of the different European Consulates, 
where one of their co-religionists is employed either as interpreter 
or Deputy Consul, who convey their grievances to the proper chan- 
nel. This free Republic alone, whose banner covers the oppressed, 
whose foundation is based on equality, toleration, and liberty of 
conscience, has no Israelite employed near the Consul at Jerusalem. 
I do pray, therefore, your Excellency to turn your attention to the 
deplorable condition of my brethren in the Orient, that the prin- 
ciples of the Government may be truly embodied in its representa- 
tive abroad ; and I do further pray that your Excellency may show 
me that mark of favor which will enable my brethren in the Holy 
Land in the hour of need to seek refuge under the Stars and 



86 



THE LABORS OF THE AUTHOR 



Stripes, that this free country and its exalted chief should be 
blessed on the sacred spot of our common ancestors." 

At the close of his address, the President, evidently deeply moved 
by the Rabbi's sincere and feeling words, inquired with interest as 
to the circumstances affecting the Jews of Jerusalem which might 
be guarded by the American consulate ; and replied, with his wonted 
quick decision, " I shall look into this matter with care/' 

The Rabbi then closed the interview with the following fervent 
invocation : 

1 ' Before I part from you, Mr. President, allow me to offer my 
fervent prayer from the depth of my heart : Almighty God, whose 
dominion is an everlasting kingdom, may he bless and preserve, 
guard and assist your Excellency and your family. May the 
Supreme King of Kings grant you a long life, and inspire you 
with benevolence and friendship toward all mankind. " 

At its close, the whole crowd, who had forgotten each his own 
personal interest in the impressive scene which was passing, were 
seen to be affected, some even to tears ; and from some lips a fer- 
vent ' ' Amen " was heard in response. The President replied with 
evident feeling, " I thank you for your wishes and prayers." While 
he was making a note for future reference, the Rabbi and his 
friends retired. Even office seekers seemed to say : " That man's 
mission ought not to fail. " Of course American sympathy will re- 
spond to such an appeal ; and the American Government can not 
refuse so humble a request as that of the Israelites of our own and 
other lands shall have in the American consulate at Jerusalem an 
advocate whose voice will be heard through Christendom, as well as 
at the court of the greatest of Mohammedan powers. — National 
Intelligencer. 



A LETTER TO PRESIDENT GRANT. 

Chicago, III., January 19, 1870. 
To the chosen Chieftain of the United States of America, warrior, 
hero and prince of peace, Ulysses S. Grant. 1 ' May the splendor 
of the Lord cover him all his days." May his name be a blessing 
over the confines of the earth. Amen ! 

Several months ago, I was honored by the good fortune of be- 
holding thy countenance. The kind reception which thou didst 
then award me, was a blessing to my spirit as though I had viewed 



LN THE UNITED STATES. 



87 



the face of an Angel of Mercy. I then represented to thee the 
distress of my brethren in faith at Jerusalem. In the appointment 
of a new U. S. Consul for Jerusalem I see the fulfillment of the 
promise thou gavest me that the Government of the United States 
would do all in its power toward ameliorating the lot of my wretched 
brethren residing there. Thanks and praises to thee, ! noble one, 
for thy kindness which thou hast shown to the children of Abraham, 
of Isaac, and of Jacob. Also accept my thanks, springing from the 
innermost recesses of my heart, for favorable mediation which thou 
hast tendered for my unfortunate brethren in Eussia. I am firmly 
convinced that the intercession of a man of the renown and of one 
who is, too, the head of a great and honored nation, can not be 
made without effect, not only from sympathy but also in due 
honor and regard for thee and thy people, the allies of the Czar of 
Eussia. My heart tells me that thou can'st not consider it an effort 
or a task to tender thy kind intercession for thousands upon 
thousands of beings created by God in His image, that as thou 
did'st thyself assure me it would afford thee pleasure and gratifica- 
tion to do aught to better their deplorable lot. 

Thy actions in the high positions thou hast occupied in peace as 
in war, have shown that thou meanest well by all men without 
distinction of race, color or religion. And hence thou art called 
upon by God to rule a free country with its millions of inhabitants 
over whose welfare thou art watching. 

My Lord, thou hast permitted me to pour out my heart before 
the chair of thy government. Behold thou hast achieved great 
things in the land of thy home. Millions of men of other color 
behold in thee their liberator from bondage. 4 'Peace, peace be 
unto thee, and peace be with thy helpers, for the Lord helpeth 
thee. " The Lord has raised thy star on high, and for what pur- 
pose ? That the light of that star of freedom might shine afar into 
the most distant lands, the most remote Isles ; Sun, moon and stars 
were not created that they themselves should enjoy their light, but 
that others may live in it. Precious stones are valued for the 
brilliancy of the rays with which they gladden men's eyes. And 
thus the good fortune enjoyed by the citizens of this republic 
among the peoples of the earth has the destiny to exert its influ- 
ence far beyond the limits of this country, to send rays of liberty 
to the lands in darkness of despotism and to teach humanity to the 
countries of barbarous tyranny. 

Therefore, I feel myself encouraged in again praying to the 



88 



THE LABORS OF THE AUTHOR. 



great American people and their chosen chieftain. Five hundred 
thousand souls in Roumania are being trodden upon, and like 
the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, subjected to the 
malicious will of all. Their crime is their belief in one God ; their 
sin, that they are scions of the stock of Abraham and faithful ad- 
herents of the words of Moses, which have even also been the 
fountainhead of the Christian religion. Slain, drowned, banished, 
plundered, reduced to beggary, hundreds in number, through no 
fault of their own, without even the show of judicial authority 
with heart, without mercy, such is there the deplorable lot of my 
brethren. The sufferings of my people under Isabella of Castile 
in the fifteenth century, their persecutions under Pharaoh of 3,400 
years ago, are repeated in our days, in the much lauded nineteenth 
century. The children of Israel live there as a scattered flock of 
defenceless sheep — as helpless orphans. None takes heed of their 
wailings. On all the earth there is no Israelite the occupant of a 
throne or in any other position of might, whence he could speak a 
weighty word for these unfortunates. It is only in the dark that 
we can learn to value the light. Not until now did Israel in Rou- 
mania acknowledge how gracious a master the Sultan at Constanti- 
nople had been. So long as the province was under the protection 
of the Porte, so long did Israel enjoy peace and quiet and lived 
in safety protected by the inalienable rights of man, the same as 
the remaining inhabitants. The present government, however, 
speaks with the the voice of Jacob, it speaks of Christian civiliza- 
tion, but its hands are the hands of Esau. 

Could I but aid my brethren by the yielding up of my heart's 
blood, gladly, joyfully would I give it if I could, as Lincoln, of 
blessed and sacred memory, but behold before my death the salva- 
tion and freedom of my people. 

! magnanimous, noble people of the United States. O ! noble 
head of that people, in the name of the Eternal, of the Lord of the 
Universe, in the name of ' 4 Him that spread forth the earth, and 
that which cometh out of it, that giveth bread to the people upon 
it and spirit to them that walk therin," have compassion upon five 
hundred thousand creatures of God left to the bloodiest ruthlessness 
— the most cruel harshness. Send the light of your truth and 
goodness to that inhospitable country which is a disgrace to the 
christian name. All the Potentates of Europe have raised their 
voices in our behalf, and have interceded with the Roumanian 
government for a more human treatment of its Israelitish citizens. 



THE MISSION TO AUSTRALIA. 



89 



Only the influential, highly honored voice of the people of this 
republic remain silent. The Koumanian government can not but 
take its silence as a tacit consent. 

The influence of the United States can be exerted in two different 
ways for the benefit of these unfortunates. First, in the appoint- 
ment of Consuls friendly toward our race in that country ; but 
more especially would such an appointment prove efficacious, 
namely, if a Jewish citizen were sent there as Consul. Such an 
example of so great and mighty a nation in its appreciation of men 
and its honor of their rights without regard to religious belief, 
could not fail of making an impression. 

Secondly, by friendly mediation and intercession with the 
Roumanian government made in the ordinary diplomatic manner. 

Pardon me, mighty ruler, beneficent chieftain, beloved of G-od 
and of men — pardon a stranger of a strange land — pardon a son of 
Jerusalam, which is dear to all civilized people — pardon him if in 
his grief over the woes of his brethren in faith he annoys thee with 
his prayers, and if his cries disturb thee in thy labors and rob thee 
of the precious time which belongs to the government of thy good 
people, 1 ' for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have 
I spoken hitherto. " 

H. Z. SNEERSOHN, 

Rabbi from Jerusalem. 



The Jerusalem Mission to Australia. 



TESTIMONIAL FROM THE HACHAM BASHI, &e. 

Translated from the Hebrew by the Rev. M. Rintel, Senior 
Jewish Minister of Melbourne. 
" Thus Saith the Lord : In an acceptable time have I heard thee, 
and in a day of salvation have I helped thee ; and I will pre- 
serve thee and give thee for a covenant of the people to estab- 
lish the earth and cause to inherit the desolate heritage. " — (Isa- 
iah xlix, 8.) 

To our Brethren the Children of Israel. — Hearken unto us, 
ye that pursue righteousness : Ye that seek the Lord, ' ' Lift up your 



'90 



THE MISSION TO AUSTRALIA. 



>eyes to the Leaven above, and look down upon the earth beneath. " 
^Behold and understand that the hand of God hath done this : He 
-hath remembered his covenant. God hath been jealous for his 
land and people. He hath not only protected but preserved them 
in that holy land termed the land of the living. With a heavenly 
spirit has he inspired those kind and benevolent individuals holding 
the respective and important offices of liVardens and Overseers of 
the Holland and German congregations, who tiave united them- 
selves with God's assistance, like mighty ones, to help their poorer 
brethren. Zealous for the Lord of Hosts, they have sought to es- 
tablish for themselves a good name in the land of the living, and 
henceforth to be known under the title and designation of the 
Fkiends or Zion and Jerusalem. 

We ourselves have witnessed this great undertaking of purchas- 
ing a possession and inheritance for Israel, being apart of the des- 
olation of Zion which is now and will remain theirs and their 
generations' after them forever. God's hand has assisted them i 
this for good, and their Jewish brethren acknowledged and confirmed 
that which they have begun. Since their commencement many 
societies and committees-have been founded throughout Germany 
to carry out this noble object ; and with the free-will offerings thus 
-forwarded, they have been enabled to pay the whole of the purchase 
money, amounting to £686 sterling. And on the 27th day of Nissan 
•last, the first foundation for the erection of Houses of Refuge for 
the poor, and accommodation for pilgrims, was laid in this pure 
and unsullied ground. And truly, the real value and the advan- 
tages of this site which the Children of Israel have now got pos- 
session of, and the amount of good to God's people which will 
flow therefrom cannot be described. The documents in the hands 
of their messenger will to some extent explain these matters, for 
therein is stated at length the many benefits the land will derive, 
&c. ; and such statements being just and true, can be relied on. 

And in order that the truth may be respected we have issued 
;these few lines to bear witness and declare that the undertaking is 
a just and proper one — that is, for the good of Israel. Those forming 
the Committee of the Society of the Friends of Zion and Jerusalem 
have said naught but what is true and correct. Now therefore, ye 
that are blessed ones of the Lord, arise, and prove yourselves a 
'blessing unto the inheritance of the Lord, sustain and support Zion. 
Jn the words of the Prophet, 4 ' Strengthen ye the weak hands, and 
^confirm the feeble knees," that they may not be prevented from pres. 



THE MISSION TO ATJSTRAIJA. 



91 



ceeding with this holy work, in order that yon may all have a 
portion, a claim, and a remembrance in Jerusalem. Each one of 
you give in accordance with yonr means, to further the buildings 
now in progress on Mount Zion. 

It is a well-known fact that other nations and various creeds have 
purchased properties, erected many structures, and built palaces, 
which rear on high their heads toward heaven — and why then, 
shall we be inferior ? — why shall we not seek to inherit the land ? 
especially when through God's mercy an opportunity so favorable 
presents itself, and which will be more fully explained to you by 
that faithful, trustworthy, God-fearing, and praiseworthy messen- 
ger, Kabbi Hyam Zevee Sneersohn. (Lord protect and spare him ! ) 
We entreat you to give ear unto him, for he is fully able to afford 
you the fullest satisfaction. Eaise up your heads like mighty ones, 
and stand forth in support of your God. ' ' Let each man support 
Iris friend, and unto his brother say, ' Be thou of good courage to 
support our nation and the city of God.' " 

The Zeal of the Lord or Hosts shall do this, and establish a 
permanent benefit for those poor of God's people who cling to that 
land which is acknowledged to be the inheritance of God. Thus 
will they exalt the city of the Lord, and rebuild its desolations. 
We confidently hope that every man whose heart is moved to fear 
the Lord, will incline his ear unto the words which proceed out of 
the depths of our hearts. Every one possessing a wise heart will at 
once conceive this to be a progressive step toward the final restor- 
ation and rebuilding of Jerusalem. We rely upon their kind and 
liumane feelings to bestow their attention upon the appeal eman- 
ating from the Committee, and that they may all be included in 
the mutual bond formed of the generous and liberal of the people, 
that their names may be comprised among The Rebuilders or the 
Ruins or Jerusalem ! 

The offerings will be faithfully entered in the book which we 
have committed to our reverend messenger, and to whose hands all 
collections may with safety be entrusted ; and you may rest fully 
assured that all such will duly reach the authorities engaged in the 
Rebuilding of Zion. 

And unto God we raise our eyes in prayer : unto him we spread 
our hand in the attitude of supplication : with fervent and devout 
hearts we approach the remnant of the Western Wall, and other 
sacred places. On the graves of our Mother Rachel, the Prophet 
Samuel, the Kings of the House of David, Haggai, Zachariah and 



92 



THE MISSION TO AUSTRALIA. 



Malachi. And may the beauty of the Lord be upon you, to flourish 
like a vine , and may ye live to know the beauty of the Lord and 
inquire in his temple. In your days and in our days may Judah 
and Israel be saved, and the Redeemer come unto Zion. 

These are the words of the Elders and Rabbis authorized to act 
as the Ecclesiastical Board, and to bear the crown of the Law. 

Given at Jerusalem, in the month wherein Israel received the Law 
of God, viz., the month of Sivan, in the year 5621, corresponding 
with, " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — they shall prosper that 
love thee." 

(L. S.) * HYAM DAVID HAZAN, 

At the head of all the Rabbis of Zion, Hacham BashL 
(L. S.) RAPHAEL JEDIDIAH ABULAFFIA, 

Chief of the Beth-el Congregation.. 
MORDECAI HYAM MUCHAS, 

Head of the Beth Din. 

Du pour legalisation de la signature et du cachet ^i-dessus du 
Sieur Hiam David Hazan, Grand Rabbin de Jerusalem. 

Le Consul de France. 
Jerusalem, June, 1861. EDMOND DE BARRERE. 



Melbouene, October 15th, 1862. 
We the undersigned subscribers to the funds for erecting houses 
for the poor Jews in Jerusalem, consider the mission of the Rabbi 
Hyam Zevee Sneersohn, one which demands the support of all who 
value the Jtruth of sacred Scripture. We would congratulate the 
House of Israel on the fact that, in the very humble efforts now 
contemplated, they may see the promises of restoration to their own 
land receiving their accomplishment, and that, by the visit of the 
Rabbi to these colonies, they have an opportunity of joining in that 
work of God ; and in fact that christians must acknowledge the 
deep obligation under which they are to the children of Abraham 
after the flesh, while those who are interested in prophetic studies, 
will see in the circumstances which have led to this mission, the 
beginning of the fulfillment, not only of the promises made to Israel y 
of restoration to Palestine, but of those which tell of uniting them 
in love to God's people, and the part the Gentiles should take in the 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



93 



restoration ■ and will see for themselves, the first dawning of the 
day of God. 

The Rabbi, during his sojonrn in Victoria, has won the respect 
of all who know him, by the energy, simplicity and courtesy with 
which he has carried on his work. 

HENRY BARELY, Governor of Victora. 

JOHN O'SHANASSY, Chief Secretary. 

H. MACARTNEY, Dean of Melbourne. 

WILLIAM C. HAINES, Treasurer. 

ADAM CAIRNS, D. D. 

SIR WILLIAM STAWELL, C. J. 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 

Argus, Tuesday, December 31. 

A meeting of the members of the Jewish faith (to which persons 
of other denominations were also invited) was held at the Mechan- 
ics' Institute, last night, for the purpose of adopting measures to 
carry out the object of the mission of Rabbi Hyam Zvee Sneersohn, 
from Jerusalem, that object being to obtain funds to assist in build- 
ing houses of refuge on Mount Zion. The learned rabbi was 
present to advocate the claims of his mission, and appeared in his 
rabbinical costume. The chair was occupied by Mr. Isaac Lyons, 
and there was a fair attendance. 

The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that, up to a 
very recent date, the Jews in J erusalem had been greatly persecuted. 
Not only had they been robbed by the Arabs, but they had not 
even been allowed the privilege of being freeholders of their native 
soil. Under these circumstances, they had to pay very high rents 
to the Turks, which had kept them in poverty ; but the Sultan had 
lately determined to sell the land, and allow them to become pur- 
chasers and freeholders. They had bought part of Mount Zion, 
but the purchase money had exhausted their capital, and hence 
the necessity of the present mission, which was to obtain funds to 
assist them in building houses of refuge. The promoters of the 
meeting appealed only to their Jewish brethren, but they would be 
happy to receive any assistance from their Christian friends ; and 
he (the Chairman) hoped that their elfort would meet with the suc- 
cess which it deserved. (Hear, hear.) 



94 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



Rabbi Hyam Zvee Sneersohn then addressed the meeting on the 
dispersion 'of Israel. The learned rabbi spoke in Hebrew, a trans- 
lation of his speech being afterwards read by the Kev. M. Rintel. 
He commenced by observing that the long continuance of the dis- 
persion of the Israelites had caused doubts to arise in the minds of 
many Jews as to whether God's mercy had " clean gone for ever 
and the question was often asked, how long will the Jews be a bye- 
word among the nations ? He was convinced that the promises of 
God in reference to his nation would assuredly be fulfilled, and 
that the fulfillment would be brought about by the ordinary workings 
of God's providence, and not by any miraculous agency. In con- 
sidering the cause of the dispersion of the Jews, the rabbi said he 
found, after examining the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, that, in 
early ages, they were much more sinful than at present ; and that, 
as long as their sins were against God only, they were forgiven, but 
when they sinned against man also, they were severely punished. 
This was exemplified by the Babylonish captivity, which, after a 
lapse of seventy years, the Jews were delivered from, because they 
turned and prayed unto God. While the Israelites remained faith- 
ful to each other, and unanimity reigned amongst them, their sins 
were easily pardoned; but when strife and malice entered their 
hearts, and every man's sword was drawn against his neighbor, the 
wrath of God was kindled against them, and he punished them 
according to their evil deeds. The dispersion of the Jews was 
caused by the malice and ill-will which sprang up amongst them ; 
and he (the rabbi) thought the continuance of their dispersion was 
to be attributed to the fact that they were unable to meet together, 
and devise some means for the reparation of their sins, as at Baby- 
lon. He expressed his firm belief in the fulfillment of the prophecy 
of Hosea, that the children of Judah and Israel will be gathered 
together again. The restoration of the Jews would be accomplished 
by degrees, and they were bound to exert their strongest energies to 
further that end, in humble dependence upon the help of God. 
(Hear, hear.) In conclusion, the learned rabbi briefly referred to 
the object of his mission, observing that though the work might 
appear trivial, he hoped that such an amount of sympathy would be 
awakened in connection with it, that it would be the beginning of 
the restoration of the Jews to their own land. (Applause.) 

The Very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne, in supporting the motion, 
said that he looked upon the circumstance of the Jews beginning 
to turn their eyes to Jerusalem as an indication that God was again 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION ~ 



98. 



to visit the earth as a sovereign and command the obedience of 
the nations, they were told that during the desolation of Jerusa- 
lem they were] to look for the absence of direct manifestations of 
God ; but that on the restoration of the Jews He would again man- 
ifest Himself. The present movement was a small one ; but it 
was a small beginning also of God's intention early to relieve his: 
people when Moses was cast on the bosom of the Nile. He trusted' 
the present movement would be attended with equally great results. 
God made use of means, and when the Jews were restored it woulcf 
not be by a miracle, but by the instrumentality ofmen, so that the 
unbelieving world might learn it from the newspapers as one of the 
events of the day. 

The Rev. Dr. Cains expressed the deep interest he felt in every- 
thing concerning the Jewish nation — an interest, he said, which 
was more ardent than that which he felt for any other section of the 
human family. He justified this predilection on various grounds ; in 
the first place because the Jews were a religious nation secondly, 
because they were the most marvelous nation which ever existed,, 
and carried along with them the destinies of every country ; and,, 
thirdly, because he learned from the Bible that they must be loved 
4 4 for the Father's sake." (Hear, hear.) Everything in the present 
day seemed to indicate the fulfillment of the prophecy, thaf in the 
seed of Abraham all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. All 
modes of interpreting the prophecies in the Book of Daniel" led to 
the conclusion that the time was fast approaching when the Israel- 
ites would be restored to their ancient country ; and his opinion 
was confirmed by the present position of the Christian world".. 
Another reason for expecting the the speedy return of the Jews 
was that some of them were beginning to fear that hope of restora- 
tion was almost gone, for it was expressly mentioned in one of the- 
prophecies that this would be the case toward the end of their 
captivity. (Hear, hear.) Jerusalem, the holy- and beautiful city, 
had long been trodden down, and its inhabitants cast out ; but 
this would only continue "until the times of the Gentiles be ful- 
filled." Everything seemed to show that "the times of the Gen- 
tiles" were drawing to their close. Undoubtedly a preparation had 
already been made for the restoration of the Jews ; the policy of 
the nations of the earth was all tending to that issue. The ques- 
tion was arising every day, what nation is to possess Palestine ? 
Turkey had long had it, but her days were numbered. Kussia 
could not have Jit ; England's interest in the East would, prevent 



96 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



that. France could not have it ; Russia and England would unite 
to prevent that. England could not have it ; Russia and France 
would unite to prevent that. There was no solution of the politi- 
cal difficulty except by bringing back the Jews. (Applause.) The 
Jews were prepared to occupy it; for they numbered 5,000000 or 
£,000000 people, and they possessed great wealth. He believed 
that this would take place, and the sooner it did the better ; for 
the restoration of the Jews to Palestine would do more to enlighten 
and reclaim the whole world than all the effects of the missionary 
societies, even if they were increased a thousandfold. (Applause.) 
The rev. doctor concluded by proposing the following resolution : 

4 1 That this meeting learns with much pleasure and satisfaction 
that the Jews at Jerusalem have succeeded in purchasing a portion 
of Mount Zion, that hallowed spot which once formed part of the 
inheritance of their fathers, and which for ages past persecution 
has withheld from them." 

After a few remarks from a person in the body of the room, in 
support of the object of the mission, 

A vote of thanks was awarded to the chairman, on the motion of 
Mr. A. Ellis, seconded by Mr. E. Cohen, M. L. A., and the pro- 
ceedings terminated. 



THE LECTURE AND MEETING AT MELBOURNE. 

Shortly after half -past 7 o'clock, his excellency Sir John Young 
took the chair, and after reading the advertisement, introduced the 
lecturer. 

Rabbi H. Z. Sneersohn, who was attired in the picturesque and 
historical costume of his office, was loudly applauded on his presence 
on the platform. 

The lecturer commenced by observing that the kindness that had 
been evinced toward the cause of Mount Zion, by their meeting 
him there, encouraged him to pour out his words to them, and 
the token of friendship he had received from his brethren, the 
Jews, as well as from numerous Christians in cities which he had 
passed through, gave him strength in this city to give expression to 
Tiis thoughts which he had in his heart. The eternal was witness that 
Tie came not for his own honor or benefit, but the honor of the Lord 
of Hosts, for the honor of his people who lay hold of the law. Al- 
though young in years, he would not fear to express his sentiments, 



V 

THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 97 



for the words of the Eternal were in his heart, as a burning fire. 
Whilst he was able to stand upon his feet, he would testify before 
the majesty of the people the honor and glory of Zion. From the 
day that he took the Holy Work upon him, when he was elected by 
the Babbis to be their messenger, it had been his custom to pub- 
lish the works of God in his land, and to lecture in every city 
through which he passed, on the dispersion of Israel, and their 
redemption, and the building of Zion and Jerusalem, and to show 
by what means they should be accomplished. He was thankful that 
he had found many men of intelligence that agreed with his views, 
not only those of his own faith, but Christian brethren whose faith 
was different. He was glad to find in this city the unity of opinion 
respecting the dispersion and further redemption of Israel, the signs 
of which they would be able to comprehend, and see that in accord- 
ance with the promises of God whether the time was far off or not. 
That the signs were perceptible none could deny. In considering 
the subject, he would take two faithful witnesses. The first was the 
spirit of the times. Any one acquainted with scripture or history 
must be aware of the general position of the Jews since they became 
a nation. From those sources they all learned that they were the 
only people whose existence had been and still was in every way 
wonderful. A people whose earliest origin was traced to the present 
day, and although so many thousands of years had passed away, 
the laws and name remained still the same, holding fast the glory 
of God as was revealed to them by the Almighty speaking out of 
the midst of the fire. The fortunes of that nation had been various. 
It had been exalted high, and as often lowered to the dust ; her 
rising and falling had been wonderful, just in accordance to the 
merit of her work, and the land had the same fate as the people, 
suffering with her, or rising with her exaltation, for they were as 
twins ; they blossomed like the lily when Israel was happy, or bore 
her sins for her sake. Who could consider that fact but would 
conclude that the spirit of God ever hovered over them like a shield. 
(Applause.) It was then 1795 years since the beauty of Israel was 
cast down. Their land was desolate, their temple was burned. 
Their princes had gone into captivity, and hundreds of thousands 
of them poured out their blood as water in defense of their country , 
and many were carried away captive and sold in foreign lands 
for their law and religion. The greater part of them were driven 
into banishment and scattered throughout the world like sheep. Yet 
the shadow of the Almighty was not altogether removed from them,. 



98 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



for they still flourished like the tender grass, and still the hope of 
salvation is strong in them, and is inscribed on the heart of the 
Hebrew. Their eyes look to the time which is appointed from God 
for their return from their captivity, and to exalt the hour as at first. 
It was well known that they were not supporting themselves by their 
own strength only, but by the promise of Almighty God that 
strengthened them. (Applause.) There was not a prophet who 
devoted himself to the study of their national history but had pre- 
dicted her fall, and had also foretold her restoration. That was to 
them their comfort, for inasmuch as they experienced their punish- 
ment so also they had, in fact, a proof that the promises would be 
fulfilled. The Almighty told them through his prophet, Jeremiah, 
in chapter 32, "I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that 
I will not turn away from them, to do them good ; for thus saith the 
Lord, like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so 
will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them." 
Every one who read that and the previous chapter, saw plainly 
enough that the prophet predicted the future redemption of Israel. 
Moses, the father of prophets, had predicted the end of this people, 
and the Holy Land. In Deuteronomy, he said, in chapter 30, And it 
shall be when all these things have come upon thee — " the blessing 
and the curse, and the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and 
have compassion on thee, and will return and gather thee, from 
all the nations whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee," 
&q. Besides these, there were many promises made respecting 
the worldly prosperity of the Jewish nation, given by every prophet. 
They had also foretold the great benefit that was to accrue to the 
world at large by the restoration of Israel. When this should be 
accomplished, God will then cause his light to shine upon every 
one, so that all should be able to understand His will, and form 
themselves into one band to do the will of their heavenly father. 
(Applause.) The great distinctions which at present prevail among 
men will exist no more. Up to this time, those who believe in the 
Lord differ in their mode of serving Him. Creatures of the same 
hand are separated by religious jealousies, each deeming his own 
the best ; but after the redemption of Israel these divisions 
will be brought to an end. The hearts of all shall be knit together, 
and all shall walk one road — as the prophet Isaiah said, 6 ' And the 
glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together 
that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." In like manner Zepha- 
niah said, u For them will I turn to the people of a pure language 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



99 



that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with 
one consent. " Therefore, he believed it was the sacred duty of every 
one who believes in God, whether Jew or Christian, to take that 
subject into consideration, and see whether this great salvation was 
not near approaching, or whether it was in their power to hasten it. 
(Loud Applause.) On that head he would give his opinion with 
some reasons which the signs of the times indicated ; as it was 
necessary for the physician to feel the pulse, in order to prescribe 
"the medicine, so it was necessary to consider the final result 'of the 
dispersion, and to look abroad to see if there were signs of its 
^coming to a close. That was the third time that Judah had been 
led into captivity, in which state it was still, and in some countries 
heavier than the former two which preceded. In the bondage in 
lEgypt it lasted for 210 years. The Babylonian captivity was for 70 
years ; but this number of years had passed away, and still it con- 
tinued. This last dispersion was that foretold by the prophet — 
i ' For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a King — 
without an Ephod — and without a Seraphim. It was necessary to 
■consider why the dispersion had taken place. His answer to this 
was — the begining of the captivity was brought about through the 
sins of Israel in former days ; because they were idolators ; because 
they neglected and profaned the Sabbath, and hated each ■ other 
without cause. But the fulfillment of the redemption was for the 
"benefit of every living man. For the diffusion of the knowledge of 
God over all the earth. The Bible of God was the prevailing book 
which was interpreted and translated into all the languages of the 
«arth ; and those who have served idols, have broken them under 
the influence of its potent words. This was the intention of the 
Creator, to extend the time to the creatures of his hand, until they 
all came of themselves to acknowledge Him, and the wisdom with 
which He had favored them through the law delivered from Sinai ; 
this was the principal reason for the prolongation of the present 
redemption. 

Every one who had his eyes open must have seen that the anger 
of God for his children is already past ; they are no longer perse- 
cuted as they were formerly ; their position was improved wonder- 
fully, and nations that had formerly persecuted them are friendly 
and well disposed to them. (Applause.) That showed that God's 
mercy was upon them, and that they should shortly return to their 
own land, although the prophecies had hidden the period for the 
approach of their redemption, still the signs of the times have 



100 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



already exhibited marks of its commencement. There was first the 
awakening of great mercy in the hearts of the nations to make a 
covenant of love with the Jews, as said by the prophet Isaiah. The 
second, transcendental beauties which should be made to spring 
from the salvation of Israel by all men, by kings, and by princes. 
They will encourage an attachment to the land which God gave to 
their fathers. Thirdly, the Gentiles will assist the Jewish nation 
in their endeavors to return to their own country. When kings 
shall be their nursing fathers, and queens their nursing mothers, 
all those prophecies will be brought about by gradual means, by an 
almost imperceptible development, without miracles, and the re- 
possession of their fatherland will at first be by purchase as Abra- 
ham bought the land around Machpelah. The prophet Jeremiah 
purchased a field from Hananeel, his uncle. He was instructed to 
write, and take evidences of such purchase, and to hide the title- 
deeds in an earthen vessel, that it might continue for many days. 
Now, if they would fix their hearts on these prophecies, they would 
conclude they were in a state of fulfillment. Already the Almighty 
had caused them to be so far favored in the eyes of the rulers and 
kings of the earth as to be permitted to purchase for themselves 
an inheritance on the goodly Mount Zion. Christians as well 
as Jews in the isles of the west and east look for the fulfillment 
of these promises, which burn like coals of fire. There is not a coun- 
try nor a village where its name is not spoken, nor a single news- 
paper that does not mention from time to time the restoration of 
the Jews to their land of Zion. 

He (the Rabbi) spoke from personal knowledge and experience. 
He knew the sufferings of the Hebrews in Jerusalem. Therefore 
did he summon up his soul, and boldly entreated them to make col- 
lections for Mount Zion. He hoped many of his Christian breth- 
ren would unite with the Jews in his holy work. God had given 
them minds to understand his arguments. He must tell his Ex- 
cellency how deeply he felt the obligation he had laid upon his poor 
people by his condescension in coming to this meeting ; an impres- 
sion had been made which no time nor distance would be able to ef- 
face. He thanked the audience for their countenance, and tendered 
thanks to the exponent of his ideas, the reader and translator of his 
lecture. He prayed that the Lord might cleanse their hearts and 
lead them all to happiness, that they might see the promises ful- 
filled, Jerusalem rebuilt, and that all might rejoice together in the 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



101 



day when God would turn again to his people. (The learned Rabbi, 
and his interpreter, the Rev. Mr. Davis, both sat down amid loud 
applause.") 

The Rev. John West moved — " That this meeting having heard 
from Rabbi Sneersohn in the course of his lecture the object of his 
mission to build houses of refuge on Mount Zion, for the poor Jews 
in Jerusalem, fully concurs in his design and recommends that 
subscriptions be opened at once, and that Christians and Jews 
should be associated in raising subscriptions to carry out the object. ' ' 
He said though very few of them could pretend to follow the He- 
brew, there was a language of the eye and countenance by which the 
reverend lecturer spoke the feelings of his heart. The name of 
Palestine was dear to the recollection of every Christian heart. If 
it was the land of the Hebrew fathers it was the land of our faith. 
The charitable disposition always manifested by the Jewish people 
entitled them to the warmest sympathies of Christians. (Hear, hear.) 
He was glad to see the Jews and Christians met to lament together 
over the desolation of Jerusalem, and to rejoice in the hope that 
the Messiah should reign in all his glory, and Jew and Gentile form 
one fold under one shepherd. They had received an illustrious 
stranger, one who had long been a dweller in Jerusalem. It was 
a remarkable fact that they were assembled in this country for such 
an object, looking forward to the era of a nobler civilization, when 
all nations should ' ' beat their swords into ploughshares, and their 
spears into pruning-hooks, and learn war no more." (Cheers.) 

The Rev. Dr. Woolley seconded the resolution. It could not be 
supposed that any of the Hebrew race could need any exhortation 
to go on with such a work, for every Jew, in all parts of the earth, 
repeated in his heart daily and nightly the words of the Psalmist, 
" If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget his cunning. 
If I do not remember thee let my tongue cleave to the roof of my 
mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." It was not 
to the Jews only that J erusalem was dear. (Cheers. ) The Jew' was 
dearest to the Christian of all except his own kindred. The 
Jew connected the first day with the present. He walked the earth 
in their days not as some few remnants of almost extinct races. 
The bones of those under whose bondage Israel groaned in Egypt 
lay on the banks of the Nile ; their Babylonian oppressors on the 
banks of the Euphrates. But the Jews lived, not as a race ready to 
perish ; but like Aaron's rod that budded and produced almonds. 
We had in time past treated the Jews as a people " stricken, smit- 



102 



THE JERUSALEM MISSION. 



ten of God and afflicted ; in whom we saw no form or comeliness. 
But thanks to the Jews' God and ours those days were gone. The 
Jews had survived persecution ; they had lived and had risen, not 
as others embittered by sufferings, but in a condition to vindicate 
their claim to the title of benefactors of the human race. Once 
they were called "the haters of mankind," because they would 
not tolerate the corruptions of polytheism and idolatry. (Cheers. ) 
We love them for that. The English, who had, thank God, beerr 
the first to extend to them the hand of frienship and justice, had 
many patrons among the Jews. They thanked their Goldschmidts 
and Bothschilds for their noble and grand and manly commercial 
policy. And what name was so closely connected with philan- 
thropy as that of 44 Montefiore ?" He asked the Christians to 
accede to an appeal which their great apostles had put to them long 
ago concerning the Jews : 44 If you have eaten of our spiritual 
good things, will you not show us sympathy and brotherhood in. 
ministering to our necessities in carnal things ?" Let Christians ancL 
Jews join in the sentiment of the. Psalmist : 44 Pray for the peace 
of Jerusalem ; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within 
thy walls, prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and. 
companions' sake I will now say, Peace be within thee." 
The motion was then put and carried unanimously. 
The chair being taken by the Honorable E. D. Thompson, 
The Rev. Mr. Davis moved a vote of thanks to his Excellency., 
As a Hebrew, he spoke the feeling of his people on finding a gen- 
tleman, the first in the land, and Christian, taking the chair at a. 
meeting to promote 44 a Jewish benefit." He (Mr. Davis) believed! 
that times were now dawning — times much better than any that, 
have preceded ; and it was a harbinger of better times that a dis- 
course in Hebrew was listened to in that hall by so large an 
audience. Jerusalem was the land of all mankind. To that the* 
eyes of human beings in all parts of the earth turn to see the coming 
grandeur that would shortly dawn upon the world there. They 
were now prepared to say with the prophet — 44 Have we not all one 
Father ? Hath not one God created us ?" 



THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM. 



103 



THE CONDITION OF THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM. 

Geelong Advertiser, Sept. 17. 

The Town Hal! was crowded on Monday evening to hear the 
Rabbi Zvee Sneersohn's interesting statement of *the present con- 
dition of the Jews at Jerusalem, with a view to raise subscriptions 
to relieve them from their necessitous position, and to assist them, 
by building houses on Mount Zion, to fulfill the prophesy of their 
restoration in latter days to the land of their forefathers by the aid 
and assistance of the English race. 

The Eabbi, who was attired in a loose flowing white robe and a 
Turkish fez, was introduced to the meeting by the Venerable Arch- 
deacon Stretch, who, in the absence of his Worship the Mayor, who 
had promised to be present, presided. 

The Archdeacon said — In coming there that evening he had in 
view the discharge of a portion of that great debt which was due 
from all Christians to the honor of Israel. They well knew how 
badly that debt had been paid in the earlier days of the Christian 
era ; how the name of a Jew had been used as a plea for cruelty and 
persecution of every kind, and they were bound therefore in this 
enlightened age to render atonement for such persecutions whenever 
the opportunity presented itself. This was the feeling which had 
moved him to come there that evening, and he hoped those present 
were actuated by the same spirit. 

The lecture was divided into three parts, and as the Rabbi, with 
evident earnest eloquence, delivered each part in Hebraic, Mr. Frazer 
very effectively read the translation. The preparatory part consists 
of a theological discourse, bearing principally upon the ancient- 
prophesies in regard to the final dispersion and restoratien of the 
house of Israel, and enlarging upon the fact that while in all other 
dispersions of the Jews definite periods of banishment had been 
disclosed to them, the last dispersion was accompanied by no such 
visible sign/' and," said the Ilabbi, " God in so doing had conferred 
on us a great favor, for it has planted the thought of our redemption 
more deeply in our hearts, leading us to look for a different f orm of 
redemption to any preceding one, inasmuch as its excellence and 
brightness will shine without distinction to the whole world." 

The Very Reverend the Dean of Melbourne said that a reso- 
lution which should have been proposed by Dr. Cairns, who was 



104 



THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM. 



unable to be present ; had been placed in his hands. " That this 
meeting sympathises with the House of Israel in their destitute con- 
dition at Jerusalem and with those Jewish Pilgrims who, in the 
nineteenth century, are subject to such deprivation in the Holy 
Land. " Although nearly ten years had elapsed since he left Geelong 
there must still exist some remembrance of him, and those who knew 
him were well aware that he was not imbued with that spirit of the 
age popularly termed "liberalism." It was not then from any 
slackness in his convictions as a Christian minister that he had at- 
tended the present meeting, but rather that he held it to be a blessed 
thing to assist in that work which was begun at Jerusalem. He 
thought the coming among them of their friend, the Rabbi, was an 
event marked by the ringer of God, and as such to be regarded by 
them with solemn reverence. The promises made by God to Israel 
were of three classes : " That God would give the land of Canaan 
to the Jews," " That the children of Israel should go into the land 
of Canaan if their conduct was good before God," and thirdly " That 
after their disperson God would gather them together again. " Jere- 
miah had said, " The Lord would lead them back with their suppli- 
cations and would gather them together as a shepherd his flock." 
It had been said, however, that the restoration had already been, 
but that gathering had been in poverty and great trouble ; and the 
whole of their intermediate history had been one of stormy perse- 
cution, while the restoration looked for was that Israel should once 
more inherit her own land, being brought back to it with humiliation 
before God but with triumph in the sight of man, and this return 
was associated with the most glorious ideas that could be realized by 
the Christian mind. The Jew and the Christian, it was true, disa- 
greed upon the vital point, " Who is the Messiah," but they agreed 
that his coming was to be the most important and glorious epoch of the 
world's history, for he would come reconciled to his own people, and 
the earth would be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters 
covered the sea. Let them glance at the present aspect of the 
political world, and of the Jewish nation particularly, and they 
would see distinctly the approaching fulfillment of prophecy. The 
conviction on the Jewish mind was that their restoration would be 
a blessing to the world. In ages past their feeling had been one of 
exclusiveness and supremacy. This, he was glad to say, was now 
altered, and the name of Jerusalem was alike to Jew and Christian 
bound up with their dearest hopes as a place where God would 
manifest himself evermore to become as life from the dead to the 



THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM. 



105 



nations of the world. Within the last few years two grand objects 
had prominently occupied the public mind — the state of Italy and 
the state of the Holy Land. With respect to the latter it was said 
the Turkish Empire was fading away, and its feebleness gave an 
opportunity for some stronger power to take possession of it. Who 
w r ould take it ? Should Austria, should Russia, France, or England ? 
No ! not England, nor with England's connivance any other power, 
for England had said — " I'll have no share of the spoil myself, nor 
will I allow others to lay hold of it. " (Loud and prolonged applause.) 
If then they could assist to place there a wealthy and industrious 
people, unconnected with the policy of surrounding nations, it 
appeared as though Providence had thrown open the door to admit 
the Jews once again to the land of their forefathers. 

The Rev. Mr. Henderson seconded the resolution, and observed 
that events which were now taking place in the political world were 
distinctly hastening on those mentioned in Scripture. Almost all 
the hopes the Christian enjoyed came down to them through the 
Jewish nation, and to that race therefore was a deep debt of grati- 
tude due. 

The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unani- 
mously. 

The Rev. T. M. Frazer said that whilst former speakers were 
alluding to the obligations of the whole of Christendom to the Jewish 
nation he was thinking of a long list of eminent statesmen of Jewish 
descent, of the first-rate painters they had produced, of men who 
had adorned the highest walks of literature, and of those great mer- 
chants who had struck out so many new paths of speculation. In- 
deed from the many temporal benefits which were shared by Jew, 
Heathen, and Christian, the whole were traceable to a Jewish origin. 
If The Jews were only to be regarded as citizens of ordinary 
character, they were entitled to some recompense for the substantial 
benefits they had conferred upon the world at large. He moved 
the following resolution • ' ' That this meeting hears with pleasure 
that the Turkish law forbidding J ews to purchase land on Mount 
Zion has been relaxed, and that a site has been granted for the 
purpose of erecting almshouses for the Jewish poor, and for the 
accommodation of pilgrims." 



106 



THE MISSION TO CHINA. 



JEWISH MISSIONS TO CHINA AND ABYSSINIA. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE. 

Dear and Honored Sir — I had great pleasure when I read in your 
journal about the kind benevolence of our brethren in England, 
and that a committee had been formed to promote a Jewish mission 
to China, to inquire into the state of our brethren there, of whom 
we are now in ignorance regarding their religion, numbers, posi- 
tion, origin, &c. 

It was well known to us for many years that these brethren ex- 
isted in China ; children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom the 
Lord has separated from us since the destruction of the first temple. 
Thousands of years have elapsed, and we are ignorant of their 
position. 

Now, Mr. Editor, should not the heart of every Jew burn on this 
subject ? He knows that he has a brother in China and could not 
know anything of him so long as the gates of China were closed and 
the fear of death was before every traveler, preventing many who 
desired to know more of these our lost brethren. Now it seems 
that the Almighty has opened a path, and that our brethren can be 
visited ; we see with our eyes that our Christian friends are giving 
us notice that there are numbers of our faith in China, Abyssinia^ 
and other places, and that they are living strongly in the faith r 
giving no ear to missionaries who are anxious to turn them from 
the religion of their fathers. This is the true witness to them that 
the fire of the true religion burns in their hearts unquenched. 
Either they have many books and from them they learn to fear the 
Almighty and to love him with all their heart, or their ministers 
have great influence over them, and thus they are kept in the right 
way ; if not one of these, it would be easy to turn them from the 
true religion, for according to the accounts given by missionaries 
the faith of Israel is strong in them. 

Now there is no doubt that if we succeed in knowing them, the 
benefits will be great, both to them and to ourselves ; what they do 
not know we can teach them, and traditions of theirs, of which we 
are in ignorance, may enlighten us. The benefit will be to the 
Jewish nation in general and the greatest honor for them ; therefore 
I had great joy to hear that a messenger had been commissioned to 
undertake this object and noble journey, even Benjamin, who gave 



THE MISSION TO CHINA. 



10T 



so much of his lifetime to such sacred objects, and who was well 
competent for such an undertaking. I was glad to see that he had 
asked and obtained support and assistance from the British Jews 
who are always ready to further a good cause, and I felt sure that 
he would succeed. Now the Almighty has shown us that man plans, 
but that God in his providence destroys these plans. Benjamin 
had planned to travel, and the time came that he should go to his 
rest ; the earthly work of our friend Benjamin was finished ; and I 
fear that the Committee have lost courage, not knowing where to 
look for a successor to carry on this work. In your weekly "Gossip,' 7 
of 13th May, I read that the Chief Kabbi of London most likely 
could find a man able and willing to undertake this sacred mission. 
I therefore thought to myself, who can tell if the Almighty has not- 
created me that I may be the humble instrument in his hands to 
carry on this work. I have thought much upon the matter, and I 
feel that it is in my heart to go, if only the committee will support 
me as they were prepared to support the late Mr. Benjamin. I 
would not undertake this for my own benefit : I consider it is my 
duty to do all in my power for my nation and religion. As I have 
traveled ever since I was 18 years of age — three times to different 
countries on missions from Jerusalem — of course it would be much 
easier for me to go on this sacred mission than to travel on an ex- 
pedition for charity, as I have been accustomed to do before. 

In order that you may know a little of my various travels, I will 
only say that during the last twelve years I made a journey to Dam- 
ascus and Aleppo, after to E^ypt, and through the desert homr » 
After I was solicited to go to Persia, India, and China ; in the latter 
country I stayed three days with Mr. Eueben David Sassoon, brother 
of S. D. Sassoon, Esq. , president of the committee : after that I 
went to Australia. During the last three years, I went for the third 
time again to Australia and India, on a mission for building houses 
of refuge on Mount Zion. In all my missions I have been kindly 
received by all classes, and the Almighty is witness that I did not 
travel for my own benefit, as it is well known that I am a poor man 
so far as earthly treasures are concerned. My desire has been, and 
still is, and I pray to God will continue to be, to do good for the 
dwellers in Zion, and I look upon this mission to China as likely , 
by the blessing of God, to be of benefit to Judaism at large. I 
therefore, with all my heart, desire to appeal to the committee 
saying, " Here I am, send me where you will." 
I should be glad to leave my home, my wife, family, and friends 



108 



JERUSALEM. THE LOCUSTS 



rfco tray el for years for such an object ; only that I should have 
to leave with them expenses of their support during rny absence, 
and that I should have my traveling expenses for the journey. I 
am sure that the Chief Kabbi of Jerusalem, Hyam David Hazan, 
will certify to my being competent to undertake such a mission, 
and would be glad to give every assistance in his power. I feel 
confident that the great influence of Dr. Adler would not be with- 
held in such a cause, and would be readily afforded to enable the 
messenger to overcome all obstacles. 

Now, Mr. Editor, I think it is your duty to awaken the members 
of this committee, that their courage may not fail ; let them think 
that Benjamin still lives ; and if he does not go, I am ready to start, 
and with the help of the Almighty to bring such a desirable object 
to its accomplishment. I have the honor to be, dear sir, your 
obedient and humble servant, 

Jerusalem, June 13th, 1861. H. Z. SNEEKSOHN. 



JERUSALEM. — THE LOCUSTS. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE. 

Dear Sir — With profound grief I address these lines to you, dis- 
closing the sad condition of the Holy Land and its inhabitants. 
Alas ! these are days of darkness, of distress, and reproof. Dread 
has befallen all inhabitants of this country, because God has af- 
flicted us and sent against us a fierce host, numberless and destruct- 
ive beyond all conception — the host of locusts, which devours every 
blade of grass in our fields. It is now a fortnight since this plague 
lias come upon us, covering the whole face of the earth, leaving 
the ground, which was before the visitation as fruitful as Eden, a 
laowling wilderness. The vine and fig trees are withered and the 
olive trees are bare. Nor is there a trace left of those plants which 
serve less to benefit man than to adorn the ground. Alas, how we 
have been despoiled, and all food cut off from us ! The sight from 
Mount Olivet is truly disheartening! Nothing around but trees 
-stripped of all fruit, withering and wasting. At this dismal sight 
the heart melts and is turned into water ; and the words of the pro- 
phet Joel are on the lips of every individual. For the description 
.given by the prophet of the devastation in his time by the locust 



JERUSALEM. THE LOCUSTS. 



109 



is literally applicable to the devastation in our days by the same 
scourge. Therefore we have also obeyed the charge of the prophet, 
and proclaimed a fast on Nissan 22. All Jerusalem on that day as- 
sembled in the house of the Lord ; there we poured out our hearts 
before Him, and recited the Psalms from the beginning to the end. 
The doors of the holy ark were opened ; the sounds of the s7iofar, 
which thrill through the heart, re-echoed. We implored mercy 
from the Lord, and tears streamed from our eyes on account of the 
great calamity which threatens us with destruction. 

For about eight days the host of the locusts increased. There 
were various species of them, great and small, swarming over our 
heads and filling courts and houses. There was not a spot free 
from the myriads of them, and it was almost impossible to go out 
of the house, for every garment was soon covered by them and 
they penetrated to the very flesh. It is quite evident that it is a 
plague from God Himself, that it is indentical with that of which 
the prophet Joel spoke, when he said that its teeth are those of a 
lion, that its noise is that of chariots skipping on the tops of the 
mountains. 

Three days ago there arrived here a friend of mine, an inhabitant 
of Sephad, and he brought with him a locust of the species which 
is called here "Zumeb," and is that which is now devastating 
Upper and Lower Galilee, and the holy cities of Sephad and Ti- 
berias. This locust terrifies every one that sees it, for its appearance 
is so extraordinary, differing entirely from those found in the neigh- 
borhood of Jerusalem. Its size is that of a bird ; its length exceeds 
a hand-breadth and a half ; its head is like that of a lion, and upon 
its head it has two horns ; it has six feet, which resemble saws and 
sharp swords, with which and its teeth it destroys every plant ; its 
color is reddish or greenish. My friend has preserved one in a bottle 
of alcohol, intending to carry it with him to London, that its inhab- 
itants may see this extraordinary creature. I must add that mv 
friend the eminent Eabbi Mordecai, the Levite, Ashkenasee, having 
been elected by the inhabitants of all the holy cities, is ready to 
start on his errand to London. 

Galilee is not only visited by that species of locusts and others 
still larger and of still more strange form, but in addition by chol- 
era, which unfortunately has broken out at Tiberias. From Sivan 
8 to this day about 80 of our brethren have died, and all the inhab- 
itants began to flee to the neighboring village. When the Pasha of 
Acco (St. Jean d'Acre) heard this he ordered Tiberias to be shut. 



110 



CONDITION OF THE HOLY LAND. 



and not to permit the inhabitants to flee lest the disease should be 
carried to other places. Thereby the calamity at Tiberias was still 
more aggravated, for now they could not even escape. 

I lack words to describe to your readers the desolate condition of 
tae cities in these evil days. Despair is now added to general mis" 
ery ; since it appears as though the laws of nature has been altered, 
and Heaven itself was fighting against us. 

Having acquainted your readers with our desperate condition, I 
now entreat them to come to our help. It is not now time to build 
houses or buy fields, but to preserve alive those perishing with 
hunger and to heal the sick. First sustain the hunger-stricken and 
af terward think of further remedies. 

And now, in conclusion, I will add that if there be any who be- 
lieve the slanderous report that the elders of the congregation with- 
hold charity- money and have no pity on the poor, the remedy is 
easy enough. If the charity of the benevolent be forwarded to the 
'Hacham Bashi, Hayim David Hasan, in conjunction with Hayim 
Zvee Sneersohn and Eabbi Selig Hausdorf, the senders will receive 
a proper account of every farthing. And we are ready to under- 
take the distribution, and to publish all the details in the newspa- 
pers, so as to silence all obloquy. These are the words of him who 
writes in weakness of hand, 

H. Z. SNEEKSOHN, 
Tamuz 1, 5626. An inhabitant of Jerusalem. 



CONDITION OF THE HOLY LAND. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHEONICLE. 

Sin — By the last mail I sent you a letter in which I informed you 
of the calamity which has befallen us by the invasion of swarms of 
locusts. This time I have to announce the pleasing news that God 
has had mercy on us and has greatly mitigated the disaster. When 
the locusts first appeared every one thought that ail food would be 
cut off, everything green in the fields having been consumed. But 
now we find that providentially the wheat and barley had this year 
become ripe very early, before the locusts overspread the country. 
The peasantry, therefore, were able to gather in the produce before 
it became a prey to the destroyer. Now the months of Tamuz and 
Ab are in this country the season for laying in stores of provision 
for the whole year, until next harvest. And, God be thanked, the 



CONDITION OF THE HOLY LAND. 



Ill 



price of corn has gone down one-third of to what it was. At this 
moment every one who has the means is hastening to lay in a store 
of provisions. All heads of the several Christian communities buy 
np as much wheat as they can in order to lay it up for the benefit 
of the poor among their people, among whom they retail all through- 
out the year the gathered store at a cheap rate. Every Christian com- 
munity here has a special magazine for this purpose : and every one 
of these magazines is being filled with corn, so that the supply will 
be sufficient for their poor all the year. No such provision is made 
for the Jewish poor They are always on the brink of starvation. 
Their life is a misery to them, and no one has pity on them. How 
must the heart of every Jew here grieve at this moment when he 
sees that every other inhabitant of the country is laying up ample 
provision — the finest wheat bought at a very low price — while he is 
compelled to make his purchase by the day, from hand to mouth, 
and must content himself with dry and mouldy morsels ! For 
whence is he to get the means to lay in a store ? and who, alas ! 
troubles himself about him * The heads of the congregations are 
only mindful of their own interest, and the collectors and benefac- 
tors residing in Europe do not pay sufficient attention to the pro- 
ceedings, neglecting to give sound advice and to see that good and 
useful regulations be made for the benefit of the poor here. And 
when some eminent man comes to visit us here, such as the 
illustrious Sir Moses Montefiore or M. Albert Cohen, the heads find 
means to engage their attention in useless things which fail to pro- 
duce beneficial results for the commonalty. The cries of the poor 
do not reach the ears of these righteous and good men, either because 
from their lowly and depressed condition the poor have not the 
courage to speak out or because these eminent men only confer 
with those heads who bear sway without the consent of those over 
whom they exercise authority. In the meanwhile the poor of the 
holy cities languish in misery and squalor and eat the bread of 
wretchedness. 

Living as I do in the midst of this hunger : stricken population, 
and acquainted as I am with their wants and real sentiments, I 
deem it my duty to exert myself in their behalf, and therefore I re- 
solved to expose to the public view the evils under which we labor, 
in the hope that those good and eminent men who take a special 
interest in our sad fate will incline their ears to my representa- 
tions. 

Why should we be less cared for than the other religious denom- 



112 



COMPLAINT FROM JERUSALEM. 



inations around us? Why should there not also be established 
among us a magazine for provisions, so that our starving poor 
should not be compelled to pay such exorbitant prices for an infe- 
rior article ? It is my firm conviction that the illustrious Montefiore, 
should he concur in my views, will take into consideration the hum- 
ble suggestion made by me. Should he act upon it, he would, under 
God, be the means of saving multitudes of his perishing brethren 
from utter wretchedness. Only the administration of the matter 
must not be placed into the hands of the existing heads, but in the 
hands of men who possess the confidence of the poor. 

I now beseech you, sir, for the sake of the holy cities and the 
starving multitudes in it, to lift up your voice like a trumpet, that 
help may come speedily. By doing so the Lord will cause his 
coutenance to shine upon you. These are the words of him that 
writes in the bitterness of soul, 

H. Z. SNEERSOHN, 
Tamus 9, 5626. An inhabitant of Jerusalem. 





A VOICE OF COMPLAINT FROM JERUSALEM. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE. 

Sir — As long as there is breath in my body I shall not cease to 
make known to the house of Israel what is necessary to heal the 
wound of Zion. Fear of man shall not deter me, whatever may be 
the consequence. My trust is in God, and he will assist me in 
bringing out the truth. 

Before all it is requisite to remove from our brethren inhabiting 
Zion the rod of the rulers who dispose of their bodies and property 
against their will, and to depose all officers who bear sway, not by 
the choice of the community, but in consequence of the appointment 
received by them from Russia and other foreign countries. How 
painful must it be to the Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem to see 
that the share in their own government is less than that of black 
slaves of America in their own country, who are now emancipated : 
while we continue to be treated like captives, subject to the yoke 
of the office-bearing rabbis, who only consider their own benefit. 
W ere we allowed to elect our own chiefs the burden of poverty and 
a rliction would not weigh so heavily upon us ; for undoubtedly the 
officers freely elected would exert themselves for the general benefit 



JERUSALEM. VARIETIES. 



113 



by making good and useful laws. Is it not evident that these 
office-bearing rabbis are the obstacle to every project proposed for 
the benefit of the general poor? A fresh proof of this spirit of 
antagonism has just been furnished in the matter of the project for 
establishing agriculture among the Jews. The cry of the poor of 
Jerusalem is, Get us work, enable us to till the ground, that we 
may maintain ourselves by the sweat of our brow. But the rabbis, 
on the other hand, say there is nothing better for us than to live 
upon the heave offerings and tithes sent to the holy cities, and 
should any of our brethren till the ground there will be an end to 
the sending of alms. Were these rabbis wise they would perceive 
that precisely the reverse would take place, and that our European 
brethren would then the more willingly and abundantly provide for 
those who apply themselves exclusively to the study of the Law, 
while cheerfully lending a helping hand to those engaged in agricul- 
ture or trade. But while the existing state of affairs continues there 
is no hope for us. When will our influential brethren in Europe 
free us from this evil ? How soon would then salvation spring up 
for the multitude of Israel, now clinging to the inheritance of the 
Lord, with the powerful tenacity so truthfully described by the 
noble Sir Moses Montefiore in his report when speaking of the re- 
quest of the inhabitants of Zephath in reference to agriculture ! 
How strong the desire of the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem is to see 
agriculture encouraged among his flock he has repeatedly declared 
in writing ; and truly there are many here who agree with him. 
For the sake of Zion I will not be silent, but appeal to you, ye men 
of Israel, to take to heart this important matter, to raise Zion from 
the dust, and to come to the help of the starving multitude here. 
These are the words of thy friend, 

H. Z. SNEERSOHN. 

Jeeusalem, Kislev 5, 5627. 



JERUSALEM. —VARIETIES. 

The intervening Holidays prevented our noticing before a letter, 
dated Ellul 23, addressed to us by Rabbi Sneersohn, from J erusa- 
lem. The following are its contents in an abridged form : 

' 4 Last week a letter, together with remittance of £300, forwarded 
by Dr. Adler and Sir Moses Montefiore, reached Chief Rabbi Hasan, 
with instructions to distribute the amount in equal portions among 
the poor of the Holy City ; and I have not the slightest doubt but 



114 



JERUSALEM. VARIETIES. 



these instructions have been carried out, for this agrees with the 
practice of the Sephardim, who distributes charity only among such 
poor as are without any means of gaining a livelihood. It is not so 
among the Ashkenasim ; for among them the rich as well as the 
poor receive equal portions, whereby the position of the poor is 
rendered most deplorable. Out of this amount the "sum of £135, 
the share of the Ashkenasim, has been handed to their secretary, 
Rabbi Joseph Riblin, to be appropriated as their heads may direct. 
It is but right that Dr. Adler and Sir Moses should know that their 
instructions have not been carried out among the Ashkenasim, in 
consequence of the power they have given to these chiefs by having 
in the drafts sent associated their names with that of Rabbi Hasan. 
It is to be regretted that the senders should in their letter only have 
mentioned two of the heads, and not all the 27, as heretofore, 
whereby their wish of confining their charity to the really poor has 
not only been frustrated, but jealousy has also been excited among 
the chiefs excluded from their confidence. Indeed, no regard should 
in these distributions be paid to the chiefs and rabbis, but to the 
real destitute, the old, infirm, widows, and orphans, who ought to 
receive at least double the portion given to the traders and artizans 
who are able to earn their living. May they be pleased to give heed 
to my words, and no longer entrust the chiefs with distribution. 

" As we understand from the letter in question, the £300 is a 
portion of the amount collected in London for the benefit of the 
poor of the Holy Land. Now it is known from the list of donations 
up to Iyar 12 that the total amounted to £5,945 18s. Id. Out of this 
amount £2,195 was remitted up to Tebeth 18. Sir Moses, during 
his stay here, is supposed to have expended about £1,100. There 
must, accordingly, still be in London the amount of £2,350, out of 
which £300 has been sent to Jerusalem and £ LOO to Hebron : vere 
likely similar amounts were forwarded to Safed and Tiberias. Be 
it as it may, it is calculated there must be about £2,000 still in 
London. For this reason we are surprised here that nothing has 
yet been done to enable an association to buy wheat cheap in order 
to retail it to the poor at cost price, as is done among the Christians, 
or in reference to the new houses the foundation of which was laid 
by Sir Moses Montefiore. 



APPEAL FROM THE HOLY LAND. 



115 



AN APPEAL FROM THE HOLY LAND. 

The Jewish Chronicle. 

We have received a very lengthy letter in Hebrew from Rabbi 
Sneersohn, of Jerusalem, an abridgment of which we insert. We 
do so because the rabbi is one of the few in the Holy Land who, 
feeling the misery and degradation entailed by the sad condition of 
the thousands of Jews in the Holy Land, now altogether dependent 
upon the receipt of charity from abroad, endeavors to rouse them 
from their lethargy, and advocates practical measures. 

TO THE EDITOK OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE. 

Jerusalem, Ab 8, 5626. 

Sie — This month, in which is the anniversary day on ^ which both 
the first and second Temple were destroyed, is a period of grief and 
mourning to Israel, and especially to the inhabitants of Zion, like 
people before whom the body of the beloved dead still lies, and 
whose hearts cannot receive comfort. At this time many are the 
sad reflections on the fall of our people, a few of which I feel 
prompted to express. 

A little consideration must surely suffice to excite surprise at the 
delay of our deliverance so many, many days. The astonished 
mind asks : It is now one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight 
yaars from the day the glory of Israel went into captivity, and has 
not yet been restored. How many myriads of prayers of countless 
hosts of Israel have since risen before the throne of mercy implor- 
ing His pardon ? There is not a prayer whether in rejoicing or 
sorrow, but Israel's deliverance is implored for in it, and yet the 
site of the holy temple is still covered by a sanctuary of another 
faith. Is this not a wonderful thing ? If it be imagined that Israel's 
prayers can hasten this auspicious period, why has it not yet come ? 
And if the period is fixed in God's secret counsel, and cannot be 
fastened by prayer, why have our sages made prayer for this part 
and parcel of our worship whether private or public ? Is it not 
clear that we grope about in darkness like blind men ? Must there 
not be some obstacle in the way which, as long as it is not removed 
prevents the fulfillment of our most ardent wishes ? I will, therefore, 
plainly deliver my sentiments on this most important subject. If 
I am mistaken better men will set me right. 



116 



APPEAL FROM THE HOLY LAND. 



There can be no doubt that it is in the power of every individual 
Israelite to hasten the period of redemption, as shown by the in- 
terpretation given by our sages to several prophetic utterances. 
Our redemption, they explained, entirely depends upon Israel's re- 
pentance. But our repentance hitherto was simply confined to 
words. Deeds were not joined to the words. Prayers in abundance 
are, no doubt, being offered up for the welfare of Zion. But how 
little is being done for this welfare ! Prayers are offered up by 
Israel for the attainment of their object. But what practical 
measures are being taken for this purpose ? The Association for 
the Colonization of the Holy Land C 1 "^*}^** 1 J^^Qpj) made 
known its scheme far and wide. Has any of the noble of Israel 
subscribed funds for the purpose ? Mere words we hear, but deeds 
do not follow. To my grief, in looking over the list of subscribers 
for the benefit of the holy cities, I found inscribed the names of 
the princely Bothschilds, one of them for the sum of ten shillings 
and sixpence, and the other for one pound. The fact is there is 
no one among the distinguished men of Israel who practically does 
anything for the general benefit of the Jewish community in the 
Holy Land. There certainly are people in Europe who, by slander" 
ous reports, seek to estrange from us the good feeling of our breth" 
ren. But as a learned Christian in England said to me, 4 ' If the 
Jews of the Holy Land deserve nothing, the Holy Land of the Jews 
deserves everything." 

Now, I know some will say that this is all by the express will of 
God, and will endeavor to show from prophecy that our redemption 
can only be brought about by miracles ; that the Lord will fight for 
us while we hold our peace. But it cannot be difficult to show 
that the first part of the redemption will be accomplished by nat- 
ural means. When Israel approached the promised land God said 
to Moses, "Little by little will I drive them out before thee; thou 
canst not destroy them (the inhabitants of Canaan) speedily." 
Abraham, after God had given him Canaan as an inheritance for- 
ever, bought a piece of ground to serve as the sepulchre of his 
wife. Jeremiah gave a sign that a time would come when fields 
and vineyards would yet be sold, and thus indirectly sanctioned the 
purchase of fields in the Land of Israel. From this it is evident 
that it is the will of God that the first impulse should proceed from 
us r and that he afterwards will help us. The purchase by us of 
fields and vineyards in the land of our fathers will constitute the 
commencement of our redemption. And as it is not in the power 



JERUSALEM. A FEW REFLECTIONS. 117 

of any individual to erect a house by mere prayers, however pro- 
longed and fervent these might be, if he does not obtain the ground 
and materials for it, so in reference to our redemption, can we no- 
hope for it if we do not employ all natural means in our power 
calculated to promote this object ? It is only then that we may ex- 
pect the promised help of God. Our sages have declared long ago, 
" Miracles are not to be looked for." 

I now request you, sir, for the sake of the holy city, to give pub 
licity to this letter in the language of your own country. Perhaps 
some noble-minded men might be stirred up and respond to me. 
My address here is as below. These are the words of him that 
writes here. 

H. Z. SNEERSOHN. 



JERUSALEM. — A FEW REFLECTIONS. 

We have received another letter from Rabbi Sneersohn, of Jeru- 
salem, an abridgment of which we insert : 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE. 

Jerusalem, Ab 22, 5626. 
Sir — Let me now continue the subject which occupied my pen in 
my last letter to you. Is it not astonishing that in the long series 
of centuries since our captivity no one should have endeavored to 
bring about our restoration as before? How is it that in these 
happy times which have fallen to our lot no one of the influential 
men in Israel should have risen to plead the cause of his people 
before the kings of the earth, and to move them to look mercifully 
at *the land of our fathers ? It is an astonishing thing, exceeding 
my comprehension, that there should not be among the tens of 
thousands of Israel, this wise and understanding people, one single 
individual zealous enough for his God and people to work upon 
the feelings of kings and princes, pursuing justice and righteous- 
ness in order to induce them to lead back to their inheritance the 
most ancient of nations, now wandering about like a flock without 
a shepherd. There can be no doubt that this silence does not arise 
from fear or from apprehension lest the enemies of our faith 
should raise their voice against us ; for it is not the character of 
Israel cowardly to suppress their dearest wishes. If we look back at 
the days of old we see how many of our ancestors defied death in 
the promotion of the welfare of their people. How many great 



118 



JERUSALEM. A FEW REFLECTIONS. 



men in Israel passed through fire and water to save their race ! 
And even if the great troubles that passed over us have changed 
our nature, still some trace of the ancient fortitude and devoted- 
ness would have remained. The primitive character is not easily 
effaced, especially in our days, when the sun of liberty shines upon 
mankind, and permission is given to every one to argue on religious 
matters. It can, therefore, not be fear that shuts the mouth of our 
great men in Europe. Nor can it be because they think that 
human agency in the work of deliverance is not needed, but that 
it would be the result of a miracle when we see that the prophets, 
who spake as the spirit moved them, distinctly declared that 
the first impulse must proceed from Israel themselves, as it is writ- 
ten. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be 
gathed together, and appoint themselves one head and go up from 
the land (Hosea ii, 2). 

It is true there is a number of varying prophecies and sublime 
visions which it is not in the power of man to understand thoroughly. 
But whoever has understanding it is his duty to consider and com- 
pare the several declerations of the prophets, and to draw his 
inferences from them. And if these show that the favorable time 
has come he must endeavor to work them out according to his abil- 
ities. And if we consider attentively the auspicious period in which 
we live it must be clear that the time for mercy has come, and that 
a good beginning could now be made. True, the enemies and per- 
secutors of Israel have not yet vanished, but their number is small 
in comparison to that of the friends of truth and the advocates of 
Israel, who increase from day to day, and who are desirous of rais- 
ing again the horn of Israel. Do they not in their very countries 
elect from the midst of Israel magistrates, chiefs, and leaders ? Are 
there not Jews now in Parliament ? Does not beloved England 
show honor to the house of Israel ? Whose heart does not beat 
with joy, and whose lips do no break forth with the benediction of 
1 i) n n when he reads of all the honor shown to the Jewish Lord 
Mayor of London ? Who can shut his eyes so as not to see the radi- 
ancy beaming forth upon the people of Israel ? The greater the glory 
the greater the mystery, that with all these opportunities for benefit- 
ing captive Israel no one of the great in Israel should plead the cause of 
the holy cities so as to rouse the hearts of kings once more to restore 
us to the land of our fathers. On this subject I shall address you 
again, meanwhile signing myself as before, 

H. Z. SNEERS OHN, Dwelling at Jerusalem. 



PETITIONERS FOR LANDS. 



119 



PETITIONEES FOB LANDS. 

Extract of a Petition from the poor in habitants of Tiberias to their 
brethren in London, To the most benevolent and noble mem- 
bers, our brethren the children of Israel. 

Y^e, the undersigned, are desirous to cultivate the land of our 
fathers, that we may earn our livelihood by the sweat of our brow. 
We have long and earnestly waited for the day when this salvation 
should spring forth, as yet not come to pass. Providentially we 
have secured in a good hour the services of a man renowned for 
kindness, a just and upright man, the most learned and pious Rabbi 
Hyam Zvee Sneersohn, who, having resided among us for the past 
winter, and who has had the opportunity of judging our character? 
has kindly volunteered his services on our behalf. From him you 
can learn and well depend upon for information ; he has witnessed, 
our sorrows, our application, and our positions ; he can testify to 
our honest desire and willingness to work ; he can well suggest to 
you what to do, and propose to you plans which will ultimately 
serve to benefit us. In him you may well place your confidence ; 
his sugsestions you will always find based upon the principles of 
truth, as we have deputed him and placed our future prospects in 
his hands. May we beg that your tender feelings be moved with 
compassion for us ; may all those who behold this earnest applica- 
tion girdle themselves with kindness to assist in the salvation of 
their people ; let them assist us through our messenger and 
encourage him speedily to bring our cause to a bright end. 

Trusting to your great kindness and to your compassionate feel- 
ing to incline your hearts to our sincere and earnest request ; and 
in conclusion, we pray that your prosperity may increase, your 
lives be long spared, and joy and happiness reign in your man- 
sions. Amen. (L. S.) 

Jacob Vorhafdie. Mendel Schwartz. 

Israel Nombrofski. Sadele Nathan Hyman. 

Hyam Bensolman. Aaron Eliza Lemberger. 

Jacob Adler. Alter Blachmann. 

Mendel Birach Adler. Ephraim Zvee. 

Minachen Cohen. Nachon Ab. Blachman. 

Yisacher Barrid. Hyam Buccurasti. 

Yackel Bijoseph Cohen. Sullmeni. 

Zadel Cohen. Kahos Grauthser. 

Ephraim Baricer. Kallman. 

Abraham Peretz. Sapeti Barad. 



120 



ASSOCIATION FOE THE 



Abraham Isaac. 
Ephraini Birniag. 
Modichi Berrea Cohen - 
Moses Goldsweig. 
Lieb Wasserniann, 
Barisch Bofer. 
Isaaco Horwitz. 
Zekell Zampberg. 
David Pessem. 
Saul Adler. 
Abraham Bare. 
Zadle Birrach. 
Isaacs Pinsker. 
Abraham Nomrofstki. 
Isaacs Szarwell. 
Joseph Zvee. 

Moses Gershon Weismann.. 
Joseph Birach. 



ASSOCIATION FOR THE COLONIZATION OF PALESTINE. 

' ' The desolate land shall be tilled, for thus saith the Lord of Hosts, 
the God of Israel ; houses and fields and vineyards shall be 
possessed in the land. — Jeeemiah xxxii, 15. 

TO THE EDITOE OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE, 

Deae Sie — From my inmost feelings I address you on behalf of 
my brethren in the holy city of Tiberias. You have already 
extended your kindness to them, through your valuable journal, by 
soliciting for them subscriptions to purchase drugs and medicines, 
and now may I request you to find a space in your columns to make 
known their appeal, a translation of which I beg to submit to you, 
wherein you will learn the importance of their application to the 
leading Jews of London ? I trust that you and my benevolent co- 
religionists will allow their kind feelings to be moved toward my 
distressed brethren by rising to assist a poor and humble commu- 
nity who are seeking mercy for the land and its inhabitants. 

Having been selected to advocate their cause, I now address 
myself through your esteemed journal to the noble and benevolent 
members of the Jewish community. Listen, I pray you, to the 
pitiful voice of your brethren, who are crying to you from the Holy 
Land ; devote your attention to their petition and request — to spare 
their lives is their petition, and to give them the land of their 



Joseph Ben Ephraini. 
Boroch Badd. 
Befier Ben Lazard. 
Mayer Michael Galaz. 
Zeehof Ben Mendel. 
Noter Fischler. 
Alter Rogers. 
Israel Magebush. 
Jacob Jamitz. 
Daniel Wiessmann. 
Jacob Levy. 
Solomon Buceresti. 
Yisocher Moses. 
Ulter Wassermann. 
Joseph Friedman. 
Modichi Schifmann. 
Abraham Schefper. 



COLONIZATION OF PALESTINE. 



121 



fathers is their request It is only that they cry with a bitter cry, 
" Give ns to toil and labor, that we may live and not perish ; help 
* and save us, that we may no longer bear the disgrace of only 

depending on the gifts of mankind. " On these points their throats 
have become sore, but in vain. Oh, Heaven ! "Whose is the heart 
that will not melt, who is it that can close his ears to the groans 
of the needy, who are only making a proper and fair demand ? and 
wherefore should the gates of salvation have be closed against 
them ? Alas ! is there no remedy or cure for their wound ? is there 
no hope for them '? Are they to be left forever in their degraded 
state ? Is it beyond possibility to improve their bad condition ? or 
are they looked upon by our brethren in Europe as an evil or sinful 
race to God and man, that it is almost a sin to pity or notice them ? 
Far be it from me to suppose that there remains no hope for the 
Lord's people ; far be it also to suspect that our European brethren 
entertain such ideas toward them, I am certain that there are 
many of our benevolent brethren who are in every way anxious to 
improve the condition of the Jews in Palestine, and are always 
ready to assist them ; but the most important object, which is the 
introduction of agriculture into the Holy Land, they have not as 
yet decided upon, and this I attribute to some who are ignorant of 
the nature of the land and its inhabitants, and assert the following 
reasons as preventing its being carried out. 

First, that the Jews in Palestine are an idle class of people, not 
desirous of work, preferring to live on charity. Secondly, that 
though there may be found among them a few ready to work and 
till, they must be ignorant of the art of agriculture, never having 
practised it. Thirdly, that though these difficulties might be 
remedied, there still remains the greatest obstacle — and that is the 
danger of their being robbed of the fruits of their labor, and no 
one to protect them. 

Now, sir, I iiave been brought up among the people who are 
thus accused, and having witnessed daily their conduct and habits. 
J am satisfied in the sincerity of their feelings on this subject. I 
therefore consider it my duty to defend them from these cruel 
charges; and it is, moreover, in my power to prove by substantial 
-evidence, to all those who are opposed to the scheme, that there is 
not th« slightest ground for the obstacles they have raised. 

As regards the first assertion, I should appeal to their own com- 
mon sense whether any human being would allow himself to depend 
upon the chances of alms instead of working, whereby he is sure of 
^earning his daily bread. 



122 



COLONIZATION OF PALESTINE. 



In reference to the second charge, it is a matter well known that 
there are a great many Jews residing in Palestine who are well 
acquainted with agriculture, and who have practised the same in 
their native land. Have we not also Jewish agricultural laborers 
in the village of Shefamar ? Has not our venerable and much 
respected faithful shepherd of Israel, Sir Moses Montefiore, reported 
this to be the truth, and did he not witness the integrity and zeal of 
the Jews in Galilee, and acknowledge that they were deserving 
objects for every consideration ? Has he not stated that the Jews 
in Palestine are an industrious and persevering race ? Dare we 
doubt any of his reports ? 

Respecting the third charge, I can safely assert that times are 
very much altered. The land is well protected; the governing 
extends over all the inhabitants of the wilderness, and there is not 
the slightest danger to be feared, as travelers to the Holy City can 
testify. Moreover, the Palestine Exploration Society is a sufficient 
proof in itself that the appointed and favorable time has arrived. 

Consequently, sir, there appears no satisfactory cause to prevent 
this undertaking, especially as the hearts of our much-beloved Sul- 
tan and his noble ministers are most favorably inclined toward the 
Israelites; and it is certain that he will protect and shield his 
faithful subjects, the children of Israel who reside in the Holy City? 
from any danger that would threaten them. It is also possible that 
if a petition be presented to his Imperial Majesty from the leading 
members of the Jewish community in England, he would willingly 
and gratuitously grant them plots of uncultivated land. Then why 
should we turn our eyes and thoughts from the brilliant opportunity 
which shines over the Jews ? and what should discourage us from 
effecting our purpose? Therefore, my beloved brethren, I hope 
that my words may make an impression on your hearts, and that 
you will assemble and consult amongst yourselves as to the best 
means of carrying out this long looked-for object. I shall be most 
happy to give you any information that you may require, either 
privately or publicly. 

I pray that the God who has chosen His land and people may 
move your hearts to the rescue of His children residing in the Holy 
Land. And now, in conclusion, Mr. Editor, I implore you to give 
ear to the cry of the poor, and encourage them by your kind inter- 
cession. With many thanks for your numerous favors toward 
my people and myself, I am, dear Sir, yours very respectfully, 

HYAM ZVEE SNEERS OHN. 



LECTURE V. 




Eoumania and Konmanian Jews, 

T is difficult, seated in this luxurious hall, in 
a city though young in years, old in the civili- 
zation of itspeople, made so by the beneficent 
influence of this enlightened land of liberty, 
where freedom of conscience and security of person and 
prosperity are guaranteed to the humblest — it is diffi- 
cult, I say, for you to comprehend the squalid misery 
of the East, and of many countries of the old world- 
Heaven hath wonderfully blessed other lands ; nature 
has been most beautiful, the earth yieldeth richly ; it 
is the people only who are unmindful of these bless- 
ings ; it is the government which maketh the people 
thus wretched, that keepeth them in darkness. I 
have traveled in many lands, and many peoples have 
I seen. In my own land of Palestine more than 
twenty years of my life have been spent. My soul is 
penetrated with the history of that land. I feel in all 
my acts I still am native there. It is the Holy hand of 
a Supreme Father that I feel, and all of life that is 
good and pure and holy and true in man is linked in- 
separably in and through that land. 

But travel hath opened my eyes. Not Bombay or 
Calcutta, not Constantinople or Rome, not even 
Paris or London, had torn from my vision the vail of 
obscurity as hath my dwelling of one brief year in 
this land. 



124 



LECTURE V. 



Here liberty is the natural birthright, restrained 
only by law, which regulates and controls rights, and 
secures protection and indemnity for wrongs. 

Go with me from this land to Roumania. 

Roumania is a country whose natural characteristics, 
whose extent of territory, whose population, whose re- 
sources, whose agriculture, whose internal affairs, 
whose trade and commerce, may well challenge the 
brief hour which you are willing to give to their 
knowledge ; concerning which the world at large 
knows but little, yet forming the subject of a study 
worthy the thought of the statesman, and of deep in- 
terests to every intelligent mind. It is not surprising 
that the world is ignorant of Roumania. 

I found that country favored of heaven. Of the 
natural character and condition of the Danubian 
Principalities, united under the name of Roumania, I 
can speak from personal knowledge. It is inter- 
sected by the tributaries of the Danube, watered by 
numerous streams from mountains, and here and there 
adorned by inland lakes. Ranges of mountains also 
cross it in different directions, covered with valuable 
forests, and containing rich deposits of coal, salt, lime, 
brimstone, iron, copper, and also silver and other min- 
erals. Petroleum is also being found in very large 
quantities, chiefly at the foot of the Carpathian 
Mountains. Its general formation is more of even 
plains, vales, hillocks and rolling praries, than of a 
mountainous character, the available and cultivatable 
lands being by far the greatest portions of the coun- 
try. 

Its territory stretches from 43° 41' to 48° 51 ' north 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 125 



latitude. Its area comprises 2,204 geographical square 
miles, viz : Wallachi, with 1,330, and Moldavia with 
574. It is bounded on the north of Moldavia by Po- 
lafid and Buckowina, on the north of Wallachia by 
Transylvania, on the south of "Wallachia by Turkey, 
on the east of Moldavia by Bessarabia, on the east of 
Wallachia by Turkey, on the west of Wallachia by 
Servia and Bonat, and on the west of Moldavia by 
Transylvania. 

The fertile slope of the Carpathian Mountains, 
situated between the three Empires of Russia, Aus- 
tria and Turkey, is much larger than either the king- 
dom of Portugal or the two Sicilies. Wallachia 
alone is nearly as large as Bavaria, and Moldavia is 
as large as Greece. The soil of Roumania is con- 
sidered among the most productive in Europe. Where- 
ever you go it is manifest that nature has done much 
for this country, but agriculture is still in its infancy. 
The implements of husbandry, as a general rule, are 
of the crudest description. The large land-owners 
are commencing to use better implements for tilling 
the soil and reaping their harvests, having their grain 
threshed out by machines of English and German man- 
ufacture which are taken through the country by parties 
traveling for that purpose. But it is only within the 
past ten years that anything like advancement has 
been made in civilization ; and, in truth, positive civil- 
ization does not yet there exist. 

Indolence, slothfulness, ignorance, superstition, pre- 
vail to an extent difficult, at this distance and under 
the enlightened system of government and education 
known here, to comprehend. 



126 



LECTURE V. 



The Danubian principalities formed part of the an- 
cient kingdom of Dacia, whose first inhabitants were 
of Thracian origin. They were remarkable for their 
warlike and independent character many centuries 
before the people of Russia had ever been heard of in 
history, for they successfully combatted the armies of 
Davies, and Alexander the Great. Under the re- 
nowned king Decebalus, they made frequent excur- 
sions across the Danube to ravage the Roman prov- 
ince of Moesia, and having been at last repulsed by 
the Emperor Trajan, they were attacked by him in 
their country ; the remains of the celebrated bridge 
built by Appollodorus of Damuscus, by means of 
which the Romans crossed the river, are an existing 
token of their expedition, and its crumbling arches 
perpetuate on the banks of the Danube the memory 
of that campaign, sculptured records still surround 
the splendid column in the imperial forum ; and it is 
remarkable how strikingly the figures of the Dacians, 
on Trajan's pillar at Rome, resemble the modern 
Wallachians in features, person and costume. 

Dacia was conquered; Decebalus would not sur- 
vive his defeat, and he fell on his sword, his subjects 
set fire to the town of Samezegethusa, and emigrated 
in great numbers to Sarmatia, and ancient Mold- 
"Wallaehia was annexed to the territory of the Roman 
Empire. 

The victorious legions were established there, and 
colonies were founded, bringing with them the laws 
and civilization of Rome ; towns were built, roads 
constructed, and fortresses raised ; the proverbial 
solidity of all Roman works being such, that traces 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 



127 



of this connexion between the Danubian States and 
the then conquerors of the known world are visible to 
the present day in their remains, as in the habits and 
language of their modern population. 

Their inhabitants had previously led a nomadic life ; 
they lived in wagons, and their sole wealth consisted 
in flocks and herds ; but they were enticed by the 
Romans to return to their country and to settle in 
towns and villiages. The Emperor Hadrian, how- 
ever, who determined on not sustaining the influence 
of Rome over widespread conquests, destroyed Tra- 
jan's bridge, in order to impede the communication 
which had been established. The Dacians being thus 
cast off, repudiated their allegiance toward Commo- 
dus, and they w r ere finally abandoned by Aurelius. 
In the meantime they had attained a degree of pros- 
perity which had hitherto been unknown in these re- 
gions ; but the ancient Russians, commencing even 
then to exercise their baneful influence, were destined 
to deprive them of it, and restore the half-savage 
state in which they had lived before the era of the 
Roman colonization in Dacia. 

In the end of the third century the barbarians of 
the north invaded the Danubian provinces. Then, 
for the first time, appeared on these fertile plains the 
lawless ancestors of those rude Cossacks who may 
now be seen galloping through the streets of Bu- 
charest- 

The Roman legions which had remained three hun- 
dred years in Dacia retired before the resistless 
sweeps of these wild hordes, and gradually the exten- 
sive and rich valley inclosed by the Carpathian and 



128 



LECTURE" V.. 



Balkan ranges of lofty mountains was overrun by the 
enemies of civilization. 

Then came the Goths and Huns ; the Tartars ap- 
peared at last, and so faded the remnant Dacians, 
fleeing to the northern slopes of the Carpathian and 
settling as tributaries to Hungarian kings. Other 
changes followed. The strangers from the east re- 
tired, and their original inhabitants slowly returned ; 
but it was not till the thirteenth century that the lat- 
ter w r ere established in Wallachia ; but, as they have 
since existed, the principalities were not founded be- 
fore the middle of the fourteenth century. 

I will here say that Wallachia is derived from the 
Sclavonic word of Wlach, bearing ? the double signi- 
fication of Italian and Shepherd. Moldavia is from 
the river 3foldava, whose waters traverse it and fall 
into the Danube near its mouth. In the end of the 
fourteenth century Wallachia and Moldavia yielded 
to Sultan Badjazet, who, in virtue of their surrender, 
secured them in the undisturbed exercise of their re- 
ligion as members of the Eastern Christian Church. 

To speak of later centuries, of Peter the Great and 
his conquest of Charles XII, of Sweden, at Pultowa, 
by which the power of Russia was fixed and made 
permanent, and to follow up the history of the Princi- 
palities, would require more time than the limits or 
the object of this lecture would admit. Let me here 
remark, however, that the Turk has been from the 
first the true friend of Roumania, the Russian her de- 
moralizer and destroyer. 

From the fact that the religions of Russia and Rou- 
mania are almost identical, one would be led to sup- 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 129 

pose that the policy of Russia would be more advan- 
tageous to Roumania than that of Turkey ; but it is 
notorious to every one who has been in that country 
and investigated the subject for himself, that Russia 
is altogether indifferent how badly the internal affairs 
of the province are administered, provided her political 
influence be maintained and her schemes of aggran- 
dizement augmented ! while Turkey is as unques- 
tionably most deeply and sincerely interested in the 
prosperity of the country. The two systems repect- 
ively followed are diametrically opposed to each other. 
The Russian policy consists in encouraging corrupt 
administration, in order that continual dissatisfaction 
may exist among the population. She endeavors to 
keep the provinces in a state of constant disquietude, 
and the government weakened by personal ambitions 
and rivalries which she excites, while both province 
and government are exposed to the dangers of popu- 
lar irritation occasioned by her intrigues. The Turk 
ish system, on the other hand, has always been to 
promote, by every possible means, the successful ad- 
ministration of the government, as a basis of stability 
and order and the tranquillity of the population, se- 
curing the rights and interests of every class of so- 
ciety, furthering the material improvements which are 
so much required, and repressing the abuse of power 
and malversation of oflice, which have become so 
deeply rooted in all its departments that administra- 
tion employment is sought after as a certain source of 
wealth by easy peculation. Notwithstanding this is 
the truth, the influence of Russia is preponderant, and 
it arises from the hopes of the Boyars, who, by a sim- 
9 



130 



LECTURE V. 



ulating policy, seek the aggrandizement and perpetua- 
tion of their caste. 

At the termination of the Crimean War, Moldavia 
and Wallachia were united under the name of " Ron- 
mania," a constitutional monarchy chosen for its gov- 
ernment, with an elective sovereign, the Great Powers 
gauranteeing, and Turkey reluctantly concurring 
upon condition of a certain annual tribute, the inde- 
pendence of the country. Under the impetus given by 
this change it was expected that great advancement 
would be made, and signs of progress were for a time 
not wanting. But the great Bear of civilization had 
not withdrawn her mighty paw ; Russia held her grip, 
and holds it to this hour. 

Michael Conza, the Prince of Hospodar who was 
in power upon my first visit to the country, a native 
of Moldavia, educated in France and imbued with the 
spirit of Western institutions, sought to promote the 
welfare and progress of his country ; but one act alone 
served to defeat him. His attempt to establish the 
Gregorian calendar in place of the Julian effected his 
ruin ; the prejudices of the people were appealed to 
by a fanatical clergy, and it was charged that he 
desired to introduce the dogmas of the Roman instead 
of the Greek Catholic Church. He was forced into 
retirement, and through the influence of Russia and 
the consent of Prussia and France, Prince Charles of 
Hohenzollern was elected in 1866 reigning sovereign. 
This young man, not yet thirty years of age, is of the 
House of Holstein and cousin, I believe, of Marie 
Alexander, wife of the Emperor of Russia. 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 



131 



THE JEWS OF ROUMANIA. 

I come now to speak of the Jews of Roumania, that 
portion numbering 500,000 of her 5,000,000 of inhab- 
itants, who have been the means of promoting her 
material interests and developing her commercial 
resources more than all the rest of her population. 
Time will not permit me to tell how, driven by 
Peter the Great from Northern Russia, they came to 
this fertile land and pitched their tents; how the 
Polish revolution multiplied their numbers ; how they 
have thriven by their temperance, their perseverance 
and industry. Almost the entire commerce of the coun- 
try, both great and small, has fallen to their hands ; and 
the fur trade, which is a very extensive one in that 
country, is wholly transacted by them. They are the 
leading bankers and merchants, and hold large pos- 
sessions in real estate. The true friends of progress, 
they have exercised in Wallachia, as they did in Hun- 
gary during the Magyar struggle, a powerful influ- 
ence in favor of revolutionary changes ; and here, as 
elsewhere in every country in Europe, they have 
always played a part on the side of liberal institutions, 
especially when such questions have been tried by an 
appeal to arms — if not always as soldiers, yet from 
their generous supplies of the sinews of war to the 
patriots. 

From early times, with some occasional exceptions 
common to all parts of Europe, the Jews of Moldavia 
and Wallachi had enjoyed tranquillity, and been 
enabled to pursue their industrial avocations without 
molestation. This was under Turkish rule. 



132 



LECTURE V. 



Prince Charles, upon his accession to power, select- 
ed for his first minister Bratiano. This man, while 
professing to be the friend of progress, from the hour 
of his elevation to his removal from office exhibited 
the most intolerant spirit. Through his influence 
measures were adopted for depriving the Jews of their 
landed property, expelling them from their farms and 
expatriating many of them from their country. He 
caused an ordinance to be issued by which the Jews 
were dispossessed of their property and expelled from 
their holdings. Numbers of Jews were seized, put in 
fetters and forcibly conveyed by troops to be em- 
barked on the Danube for transportation to some 
unknown land. Bratiano's ordinance declared, by a 
single stroke of the pen, that all contracts made by 
Israelite farmers with either the government or private 
persons be annulled. On his arrival in Jassi he issued 
a decree still more barbarous, ordering the police to 
rush in upon the Jews, and without judicial authority, 
without distinction of rank or age, brutally load them 
with irons and have them transported beyond the 
Danube. An eye-witness to these and similar scenes 
says : " Nothing is heard in the streets but cries of 
distress from the wives and children of the poor trans- 
ported victims. They hunt them down. They fetter 
the old and infirm, and without? pity force them into 
banishment." This monster Bratiano was removed 
through the intercession of France and England, 
pleaded to this end by the eminent Albert Cohen, the 
eloquent Adolph Cremieux, and the illustrious Moses 
Montefiore. These noble scions of the House of Israel 
each visited Bucharest, and upon their representations 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 



133 



the governments of Napoleon and Victoria had this 
barbarian displaced. But the new Minister, Cogolin- 
ciano, has exhibited no improvement. On the con- 
trary, he has openly declared that he will not tolerate 
the Jews ; that they shall be expelled, and that the 
European governments have no right to interfere in 
the internal affairs of Roumania, not even if all the 
Jews were to be slaughtered in one day. 

To convey an idea of the persecutions to which the 
Jews have been subjected since Prince Charles was 
called to the throne, I will mention only a few scenes 
which have occurred. Last year, in February, in 
Galatz a Christian boy commenced an assult upon a 
Jew, who in his endeavor to defend himself struck his 
assailant to the earth. Immediately 1,000 Christians 
gathered together, fell upon the Jews, beat them un- 
mercifully, murdered some thirty-six in number, pil- 
laged and destroyed their synagogues, tearing their 
sacred scrolls to tatters, and were only stayed in 
their brutal career by the efforts of the Greek Consul, 
the police making no attempt to quell these wild sav- 
ages. 

Later, on the 23d of April, 1869, other dreadful 
scenes were enacted in the villages in the vicinity of 
Buckowina. Six hundred Hebrew families, without 
regard to age, sex or condition, were driven from their 
homes, robbed and outraged, their hair torn from their 
heads and their beards plucked out by the roots, while 
some were thrown into the river. So frightful is the 
superstition of these nominal Christians, that when a 
Jew was drowned they cried out, " From this act rain 
will come !" 



134 



LECTURE V. 



All through last year persecutions and outrages were s 
continued. A new circular was issued by Cogolinciano 
ordering the expulsion of the Jews from the villages, 
and this order was barbarously executed. Since De- 
cember last all the Jews of a village in the District 
of Bacan were robbed, tortured, and driven from their 
homes into the open field, notwithstanding the cold 
weather. 

In the district of Falsie 500 Jews were outraged and 
expelled. Even in many of the cities the right con- 
ceded to them to exercise commercial pursuits has been 
taken from them. But this is not all. On the 28th, 
29th, and 30th of December last the Roumanian Cham- 
ber debated on the measure against the Jews. It is 
almost incredible to believe such violent hate, bad pas- 
sions and extreme cruelty can actuate a people who 
have but recently acquired their own independence, 
and who should be animated with toleration and jus- 
tice instead of such bitter persecutions and bigotry.. 
" The Jews," said several deputies, " are incapable of 
civilization ; they can never become true Roumanians ; 
they must be forbidden to lease farms and to acquire 
real estate ; they must be driven away from the villages ; 
the border must be closed against them, and their num- 
ber must be reduced and confined to a tenth part of 
the population." 

The deputies expressed themselves still more clearly. 
" The best way," said Deputy Eliade, " to get rid of 
flies is to hide the honey ; let us do the same with 
the Jews. Let us take from them the honey, that is, 
industry and commerce, and we will see whether they 
will yet come." No voice was raised against the scheme 



ROUMANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 



135 



of robbery so openly declared. The Minister excused 
himself for not being able to do more against the 
Jews than he had done already. In reply to his speech, 
which was more fit for the lips of a Torquemada than 
of a statesman of the nineteenth century, a deputy ex- 
claimed, " Drown them in the Danube !" 

These, my friends, are only some of the many scenes 
which have been enacted since Prince Charles, four 
years ago, commenced his reign. I could recite others 
equally as barbarous. The Cable has told worse with 
in the last two weeks, which, let me say in this place, 
however incredible to the apprehension of the human 
people of America, from my familiarity with their past 
conduct I believe to be in great part but too sadly 
true. Can you longer doubt the enemies of the 
Government ? Will you say it is because the Prince 
is young and weak and impotent ? I tell you he is 
fully in accord with these scenes ; but behind him is 
Russia, and he is but the creature and tool of the 
Czar. And yet Article 4:6 of the convention concluded 
between the Great Powers, in 1858, guarantees to 
all non-christian Roumanians the enjoyment of all 
civil rights. It is incredible in an age so far advanced 
as this that there should exist a population so utterly 
benighted as the Roumanians. It is more astonishing 
that the Jews, who for ages have so benefited the coun- 
try by their intelligent enterprise, by their thrift and 
industry, who have been the best of citizens, peaceably 
pursuing their avocations, molesting no one, bearing 
their share of the public burdens and giving many 
noble examples of patriotism and valor — a people who 
under Turkish rule, (the Crescent not the Cross,) grew 



136 



LECTURE Y. 



with such prosperity that the entire commerce and 
trade of the country came naturally to their hands — 
who by the Moslems were preserved, protected and 
defended — should now, under the ostensible administra- 
tion of an independent Christian government, be given 
over to rapine and the sword ! 

But to one acquainted, as I have become from per- 
sonal knowledge, with the character, condition and re- 
ligion of the native population of the Principalities, 
their indolent and semi-barbarous mode of life, their 
wild and uncouth manners and the great influence 
exercised over their fears and ungovernable passions 
by a fanatical priesthood, nothing in their present ac- 
tions appears surprising. Freed from the absolute 
powers of the Pope, which kept them tranquil and re- 
strained their blind prejudices, they have now thrown 
off every control, and, incited by constant appeals to 
their cupidity and superstition, have given full play 
to their barbarous instincts. To this end they have 
been further impelled by those of the population who 
expected to derive the principal advantage from these 
persecutions of the Jews. But underneath and un- 
derlying all these dreadful scenes is a political power 
whose scheme in the fulfillment of a mad ambition is 
to utterly extirpate the Jews from every inch of the 
Roumanian soil. Not satisfied with the blood she has 
shed in her own dominions, the tortures and cruelties 
she has practised for ages, Russia, like a hungry bear 
would sweep down with remorseless fury upon the un- 
fortunate Jews. It is the Czar who stands behind the 
throne of Charles Hohenzollern ! It is the Czar who 
moves on the insane clergy ! It is the Czar who would 



1R0T7MANIA AND ROUMANIAN JEWS. 



137 



sweep the Jews from Rouniania ! It is the Czar who 
seeks the subjugation of these rich provinces, paving the 
way for his remorseless legions, in his wild dream of 
conquest, to blot Turkey from the face of nations, seize 
Constantinople, and hold the keys of the East. 

Politics and Religion, these are the instrumentali- 
ties under cover of which murder and rapine are let 
loose with all the ferocity of untamed passion, first to 
immolate their benefactors, then to suffer the recoil 
and be slaves again — slaves worse than ever. Russia 
would thus promote her onward march to conquest 
and empire. In her path are the Jews, the people 
who have so often in these latter years stayed the prog- 
ress of aspiring and unholy ambition. While they 
.are permitted to dwell in Roumania, cultivating the 
arts of peace, Russia cannot proceed. 

Every motive which should arouse the nations of 
Europe to stay the course of the conqueror would seem 
to be present, and yet all are silent. Silent, though 
hundreds and thousands of victims are perishing in 
the name of Christianity. Silent, though they have 
pledged their faith to guarantee religious liberty to all 
the inhabitants of these provinces. Silent, though 
crimes are committed which pale in comparison the 
bloodiest pages and darkest epochs of the past. 

True, the other Powers of Europe have protested, 
but their remonstrances have thus far been unavailing, 
for they have entered one ear and passed out of the 
other. 

What Russia did to the Jews of Bessarabia, she 
w r ould do to the Jews of Roumania — plunder and 
drive them from the land ! With her this is only a 



138 



LECTURE V. 



question of time, unless, indeed, in this great emer- 
gency, and in the sacred cause of humanity, America 
throws the weight of her mighty influence into the 
scale. To jthis land of enlightment, whose people are 
alone pervaded with true liberty — to this blessed land 
of freedom — -must we turn, that the nineteenth cen- 
tury may not have a record blacker than that of any 
of the centuries of the p>ast ; blacker in contrast with 
the greater light which dawned at its birth and has 
grown steadily brighter in the brilliancy of art, Science 
and learning to this hour. 

The air is full of farewells to the dying 

And mournings for the dead ; 
The heart of Rachel for her children crying, 

Will not be comforted. 

O ! magnanimous, noble people of the United 
States ! in the name of the Eternal, of the Lord of the 
Universe, have compassion upon five hundred thou- 
sand creatures of God. Send the light of your truth 
and goodness into that inhospitable country ! O ! 
friends of humanity! let the Israelites of America 
emulate the noble example of the " Universelle Alli- 
ance " of France, who are exerting their might in 
behalf of their brethren in Roumania, and by their 
support an American of their own faith may be chosen 
as a representative to that country. Let the United 
States of free and happy America lift up her voice; 
let the might and power of the government be felt, 
the moral influence exerted that she is capable of ex- 
erting, and where now is persecution, torture, robbery 
and murder, toleration, justice, order and peace will 
reign. 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 




Their status in Roumania. A Convention of all the Powers pro- 
posed by England. A counter punishment by GortschakofL 
The Russian wins. Renewal of the Convention of 1858. 



St. Petersburgh, June 6th, 1872. 

^ MOST remarkable bit of intelligence has, 
just reached my ears with regard to the 
muched-vexed question of the Roumanian 
Jews, which is again on the tapis. The 
bigotry and intolerance of the Roumanian people, and 
the incapacity or willful neglect of the Roumanian 
Government will, it seems, compel the powers to in- 
terfere again on behalf of the persecuted Israelites, 
whose position in Roumania is about what it was all 
over Europe during the middle ages. And there 
these continual protests and threats of intervention 
will, without doubt, sooner or later, end in the wiping 
from the map of Europe this bastard semi-independ- 
ent little state, which certainly has no adequate raison 
d'etre, no sufficient cause in existence, even though it 
has to be done at the risk of opening up the much- 
dreaded Eastern Question. 

The unanimous protest of the whole diplomatic 
body in Bucharest, and the indignation meetings that 
had been held in London, seem to have already pro- 
duced some effect. Earl Granville seconded by the 
Italian Cabinet has formally proposed that a conven- 
tion of all the European Powers be held to decide 



140 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



upon the course to be pursued toward the Roumanian 
Government in view of the continued recurrence of 
outbreaks against the Jews, which that government is 
either unwilling or unable to prvent. 

This is a most important step, and if the proposi- 
tion is agreed to by the other Cabinets of Europe it 
may lead to some very remarkable results. The 
proposition has been submitted to all the European 
Powers, but I am not in a condition to state what had 
been the answers returned by any of them except the 
Russian and German Governments. 

Gortschakoff 's reply communicated to Lord Loftus, 
was to the effect that he sympathised entirely with the 
persecuted Jews of Roumania, but thought it would 
be better for the powers first to unite in a formal interpo- 
lation of the Roumanian Government as to its future 
intentions and the guaranties it can offer that the 
Jews shall be protected. 

He thought that this would awaken the Roumanian 
Cabinet to a sense of its responsibility before the 
world, and the danger it will incur in disregarding 
public opinion, which has been very forcibly ex- 
pressed through the diplomatic body at Bucharest. 
His reason for preferring this course is that Prince 
Charles has already so many difficulties to contend with, 
and his Government is just now in such a precarious 
condition, that an intervention in the manner proposed 
by the English Cabinet would probably lead to the 
opening up of the thorny Eastern Question which he 
thought all the European Cabinets wish to avoid. In 
case the answer returned by the Roumanian Govern- 
ment should not be satisfactory, then he would pro- 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



141 



pose a settlement of the difficulty on the basis of the 
Treaty or Convention of 1858. In this he was sec- 
onded by Prince Reis, the German Abassador at St. 
Petersburg, and Lord Loftus accordingly returned an 
answer to his government to that effect, which answer 
was forwarded about a week ago. As yet nothing fur- 
ther has transpired as to the course that will be pursued 
by the English government; but .much will depend un- 
doubtedly on the answers received from the other 
Powers. It is very probable, however, that the plan 
proposed by Gortschakoff will be adopted finally, and 
they will unite in some sort of an interpolation to the 
Roumanian government as to its future intentions, and 
in demanding ■ a guarantee for the protection of the 
Jews in the future. It will be remarked that the 
German Cabinet takes the same view of the matter as 
Gortschakoff, having naturally very good reasons for 
not wishing to do anything that would very probably 
increase the difficulties by which Prince Charles of 
Hohenzollern is already surrounded, even though it 
did. not result in his downfall. What the action of 
the Roumanian government is likely to be may be in- 
ferred from the reply of Costoforo, the Minister of 
Foreign Affairs, to the recent protest of the consuls 
of Bucharest. 

POSITION OF THE ROUMANIAN GOVERNMENT. 

It is a most curious, not to say amusing document, 
and I should very much like to know the effect pro- 
duced by it upon the diplomatic corps in the capital 
of Roumania. M. Costoforo commences by taking 
issue with them upon points of fact and giving them 
the lie diplomatic. 



142 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



He denies that the Jews have been persecuted to 
anything like the extent represented in that protest; 
maintains they (the consuls) have greatly exaggerated 
the whole affair; that the Jews, while being generally 
detested, have been on the whole well treated consid- 
ering their offences, and hints that they deserved all 
they got, and more too. He then, by a curious line 
of argument, refers to ihe consuls themselves in proof 
of his assertions, and then expressed his unfeigned as- 
tonishment that they, living in Eoumania, seeing and 
understanding the real state of affairs, and knowing 
that the Jews are not persecuted, should nevertheless 
have united in a unanimous protest on the subject. In 
other words, he tells them they have lied in the most 
shameless manner about the matter, and that he is 
exceedingly astonished at their conduct. Have the 
foreign consuls been mistaken? I do not know how 
the consuls will receive this lesson in diplomacy, but 
1 am afraid that M. Costoforo will not be alone in 
his astonishment, however great it may be, and that 
the difficulties usually attendant upon such negotia- 
tions will, under these circumstances, be greatly in- 
creased. Of course no one will pretend to doubt the 
Honorable Minister's word when he says the Jews 
are not persecuted, and we are only lost in astonish- 
ment that such being the case, so many different con- 
suls, of so many different countries, speaking so many 
different languages, representing so many different 
religions should, nevertheless, agree upon the very 
one thing that the Roumanian Minister says is not 
true, and express in no very measured terms their in- 
dignation at outrages that have never been committed. 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



143 



Evidently there is a diversity of opinion between 
the Minister and the diplomatic body of Bucharest as 
to the meaning of certain acts when committed against 
certain persons, or a slight misunderstanding as to the 
signification of words which is really perplexing, and 
which might, under certain circumstances, lead to dis- 
agreeable consequences. 

THE FOREIGN MINISTER^ LOGIC. 

M. Costoforo goes on to assert that the Jews are 
multiplying to an alarming extent in Roumania, and 
that they have absorbed the entire trade of several of 
the most prosperous towns of the principalities to the 
exclusion of the natives. As the Jews of Roumania 
have been born and bred, have lived and died and been 
buried there for centuries, it might be interesting to 
know what the Minister understands by the w r ord 
native or indigene, which he uses in the document in 
question, and whether he did not mean to say Roman 
instead, of which noble race he and the majority of 
Roumanians believe themselves to be the direct and 
lineal decendants. He further says that the Jews, not 
being citizens, form a class apart from the rest of the 
population, with which they refuse to assimilate or 
have anything in common, and they are therefore dan- 
gerous to the State. M. Costoforo's system of logic is 
certainly somewhat difficult to grasp or fully compre- 
hend. He first takes away the citizenship rights from 
the Jew T s, and then accuses them of not being citizens — 
a way of discussing the matter that puts his opponent 
in the argument, as well as the Israelites themselves, in 
an extremely awkward position. His style of reasoning 
is like that of a Southern planter before the war, who 



144 THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 

should accuse the negroes of being slaves — an accusa- 
tion which would certainly be as difficult to refute as 
that of M. Costoforo against the Jews. He might 
further have accused them of being prohibited by law 
of acquiring landed property, of having half the av- 
enues of honest labor cut off from them, of being hem- 
med in here and shut out there, of paying taxes with- 
out their own consent, and of serving in an army which 
does nothing to protect them. 

While he was on the subject he might as well have 
gone through the whole list of crimes urged against 
them, by which means he would have enlightened the 
world as to the real character of these people and the 
real merits of the much-vexed question. He further 
states that it should be borne in mind that the late out- 
breaks against the Jews were not altogether discon- 
nected with the robbery of a church of which two 
Jews were believed to be guilty. It might be asked 
whether, if two Frenchmen had been accused of the 
same crime, and the French in Roumania would have 
been attacked and maltreated by the mob, and if there 
is any logical sequence, as the Minister would seem to 
imply, in visiting Smith's offences upon the head of 
Jones. 

IGNORANCE AND INTOLERANCE OF THE ROUMANIAN. 

The truth is, that the Roumanian people — if such a 
mongrel mob of Sclaves, Russians, Poles, Italians and 
Turks may be called a people — have neither shown 
themselves capable of self-government or worthy of 
liberty. Ignorant as Comanche Indians, not more 
than one in a hundred of them being able to read and 
write ; fanatical as Mussulmen and brutal as ignorance 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



Ii5 



and intolerance always °re, they need a stronger hand 
than thctt of Prince Cileries to keep them in subjection 
and make them respect the rights of others. It may 
scarcely seem credible to an American reader that in 
ft country where the railroad, the telegraph and the 
printing press are doing their work, with a constitution 
more liberal than any other in Europe, not even ex- 
cepting that of Belgium, the people should still be 
buried in the profoundest ignorance and susperstition, 
believing implicitly in witchcraft, charms, spells incant- 
ations, vampyres, spectres, demons and hobgoblins ; 
and yet such is the fact. 

In addition to all this they have, of course, the old- 
time prejudices and superstitions with regard to the 
Jews, even their most influential and widely circu- 
lated papers asserting and maintaining in a brazen and 
shameless manner that the Jews drink Christian blood ? 
that they kill Christian children at Easter, in order to 
have the blood for the celebration of the Feast of the 
Passover ; that they commit all sorts of atrocities 
against the Christians ; that they poison the waters of 
the Dunbowitzar ; that they steal crosses and images 
from the gateways and altars of the churches, and 
perpetrate horrors and sacrileges which require a con- 
siderable amount of ingenuity to think of, let alone to 
commit ; all of which is so absurd and stupid that it 
would be laughable did it not entail such serious con- 
sequences. And these prejudices are not confined to 
the lower classes alone. The JBoyars (or nobility) 
while not, of course, believing the absurd stories abcut 
Jews thirsting for the blood of Christian children, 
share nevertheless in the sentiment against them, and 
10 



146 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 



although not taking part in the outbreaks, their sym- 
pathies are so well known that the mob is encouraged 
to satisfy its periodical desire for destruction and vio- 
lence to the utmost. 

This sympathy extends to the police, which winks at 
these lawless proceedings, and never interferes until 
the trouble is all over, and to the government, which 
never calls out the troops unless the riot commences 
showing signs of turning into a rebellion, as when the 
mob attacked Von Radowitz, the Prussian Consul, two 
years ago, upon the occasion of the Emperor William's 
birthday. And even in this case their neglect was so 
evidently intentional that he demanded and obtained 
the instant resignation of the head of the cabinet and 
the arrest of the Chief of Police, whom he had after- 
ward condemned to a heavy fine and six months' im- 
prisonment. 

CHARACTER OF ROUMANIAN POLITICIANS. 

The ease with which ministries are changed there 
may be judged from the fact that Cunza in six (6) 
years had eleven (11), or a new one about every six 
months, and even Prince Charles has not been able to 
keep a cabinet together at any time more than a year. 
The difficulty appears to be that they are all equally 
bad and have to be dissolved as soon as they get fairly 
to work. There is not one patriot among the poli- 
ticians of Roumania, not one man who would not sell 
his country to Russia or Austria for personal advance- 
ment if either of these powers would allow the other 
to buy. Instead of working for the interests of the 
country, developing its resources, assuring and fortify- 
ing its independence, their time is passed in intriguing, 



THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAI]N V . 



147 



struggling for a temporary possession oi&jportefeuille 
and pushing each other from power — not a thought of 
establishing on a firm basis the future independence 
of the country. As to that, they count upon the 
mutual jealousy of Austria, Prussia, and Russia, and 
upon the fact that neither of them is ready for a solu- 
tion of the Eastern question. Upon this very pre- 
carious footing rests Roumanians hopes of independ- 
ence, and yet they assume as high and haughty tone 
in dealing with internal questions which interest the 
outside world, such as that of the Strausburg rail- 
roads and of the Jews, as though they had an army of 
500,000 veterans to sustain them. Some of them 
even demand the expulsion of all strangers — Germans, 
French, Austrians and Russians — as well as Jews, from 
the Principalities, to make room for the development 
of the u Roman " race. When asked how they will 
obtain the consent of the Powers in question to this 
summary way of dealing with their subjects, their 
reply is : " If they do not like our way of administer- 
ing our own affairs, let them declare war and set lire 
to the four corners of Europe. 

gortschakoff's solution of the difficulty. 
The solution of the difficulty proposed by Gortscha- 
koff may however compel them to respect the rights 
of their neighbors without a recourse to war. The 
Convention of 1858 stipulated that the two (2) princi- 
palities should never be united under one Hosjjodar 
and that they should be under the direct tutelage of 
Turkey, which government was then responsible for 
the maintenance of order. The execution of this 
programme would of course necessitate the retirement 



148 THE ROUMANIAN JEWS AGAIN. 

of Prince Charles, the separation of the principalities 
and the quartering of a Turkish army on them an- 
ciently strong to keep the peace and protect the Israel- 
ites. This plan, which is quite practicable does not neces- 
sitate a general war nor the opening up of the Eastern 
question, upon the universal fear of which the Rou- 
manians depend for impunity, and when it is seen that 
the Powers are in earnest in this matter and that they 
have the possibility of wiping Roumania from the map 
of Europe without causing any great commotion, the 
latter will very probably come to terms, and we shall 
hear of the Roumanian Jews no more. 

[Vide N. Y. Herald, July 6, 1872. 



SERIOUS THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



HE aspect of Palestine and Roumania at 
the present time, the humble condition of 
the Israelites in their ancestral lands and 
their hapless fate in Roumania, are to be regarded 
as denoting the condition of the whole Jewish race 
in the world at large. They indicate the fact that 
there is yet a great difference between the standing of 
the Jew and that of any other race in the scale of 
society, and that, notwithstanding the glare of civili- 
zation of the nineteenth century, the condition of 
" the wise and understanding people of the nation that 
was chosen" by God to be the banner-bearers of his 
truth in the world, presents a much more sombre as- 
pect than the condition of any other nation on the 
face of the earth. This can easily be perceived by 
drawing a line of comparison between the one and the 
other. I see and contemplate this sad truth, and I 
ask with a heart full of sorrow : " Where is the 
glory of Israel, and of what significance is Israel 
to-day ?" 

Every creed and nationality has its representatives 
in the land of Canaan. They live in the holy cities 
by hundreds and by thousands, possessing large prop- 
erties and enjoying life with all its blessings, while 
the remainder of Jehudah and Israel form in the land 
of their ancestors the poorest and most wretched class 
of people, being continually exposed to all kinds of 




150 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



tribulation : hunger, thirst, homelessness, degradation 
and misery. The society of enticers, who call them- 
selves missionaries of truth, and trample under their 
feet all the laws of God and man, have their agents 
there living in comfort and pleasure ; while the true 
champions of religion and morality are crying for 
bread and water, and there is none to allay their 
hunger, none to quench their thirst in the holy land. 
Those who believe i& (what they call) the New- 
Covenant, send every year immense sums of money 
to assist their fellow-believers, who have the privilege 
of kneeling at the birth-place of their Savior, while 
the sons of the covenant of Abraham regard with 
distrust and suspicion those of their brethren who 
choose to cling to the site of their vanished glory. 
Every nationality has its banner raised with pride and 
glory on the heights of Mount Zion ; while the 
banner of the camp of Jehudah is lying there in the 
dust, trampled under the feet of friend and foe ! 

My heart breaks at the contemplation of all these 
things, my blood boils in my veins. And from the 
depth of my grieving heart I ask : " Where is the 
glory of Israel and of what significance is Israel to- 
day ?" 

For the mere sake of twenty or thirty mission- 
aries, some of whom were men of Jewish extraction 
who perjured themselves against their people and 
their God, professing to believe in the trinity while 
in their hearts they had no faith whatever — for the 
sake of these men did Britain raise the tempest of war 
against Abyssinia. With fire and sword did England 
avenge the offence which had been done against those 



CONCLUSION. 



151 



men. She killed the king of Abyssinia, reduced his 
capitol to ashes, and carried away his only son, the 
hereditary prince, captive to a distant land. The 
immense expense of that expedition was defrayed not 
by the believers in a trinity only, the Jews of that 
empire contributed as well for the cost of that war ; 
for the Parliament called it a "national" expedition 
and supplied the required amount from the treasury 
of the entire nation. "Whilst five hundred thousand 
men, who devoutly and consistently observe the 
injunctions that were laid on them three thousand 
years ago on Mount Sinai, are exposed to the 
outrages of the semi-barbarous Roumanians, they 
are robbed of their honestly acquired goods, their 
houses are burned down over their heads, their 
wives and daughters are outraged before their eyes, 
and they are lead to slaughter like sheep by their 
cruel enemies, under the sway of their weakly ruler, 
Prince Charles. Such disgraceful acts are being 
perpetrated in broad daylight, in the heart of Europe, 
and there is none to put a stop to them — none to 
interfere in behalf of the oppressed ! 

Woe unto me for the degradation of my people ! 
I am seized with terror at the thought of their hapless 
condition, and from the bottom of my heart comes the 
groan : " Where is the glory of Israel, and of what 
significance is Israel to-day V 

Let the readers not think that I am one of those 
who saw nothing in the world but the four walls of a 
Beth-Hamedresh, and know not of the influential 
standing of their co-religionists in many a civilized 
country. I have traveled in the world, and have 



152 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



had the satisfaction of seeing many of my brethren 
occupying high social positions. During my sojourn 
in France and in England I became personally 
acquainted with many an offspring of the house of 
Jacob who can stand in the presence of princes and 
monarchs. And even because I know and have seen 
these things I will ask here, in the sight of God and 
of men : What have those men done for the benefit 
of their oppressed brethren ? How much of their 
wealth and influence have they used to alleviate the 
condition of their less fortunate brethren ? I know 
that they have tried in many cases to interfere in be- 
half of the unfortunate members of our race ; but I 
know also how they have tried and what they have 
accomplished. I ask again : Have those men done 
the half of what they could have accomplished if 
they had earnestly pursued their aim ? Of what avail 
or comfort can their high social standing be to the op- 
pressed masses, or how can they honorably maintain 
their influential positions, professing to observe the 
faith of their forefathers at the same time, if they do 
not exercise all their power in favor of their outraged 
brethren? They are like unto a man who is pos- 
sessor of the finest garments, and, keeping them under 
lock and key, goes out in the streets wrapped in rags. 
Now, anybody would ask such a man : Of what use 
in the world are your fine clothes to you if you never 
put them on ? Who knows but that their wealth and 
honor were granted them by Providence in order that 
they should be enabled to help their unfortunate 
brethren, and to raise the reduced cottage of David ? 
But they seem to think very little of these matters. 



CONCLUSION. 



153 



" O ! where is the glory of Israel, and of what sig- 
nificance is Israel to-day ?" 

Looking at myself I see the power of God who 
is bestowing life on the people of the world, and is 
granting His spirit and influence to those who are 
earnestly aiming at good and righteousness, I am 
neither wise nor rich ; I am neither a prince nor a 
councillor ; I am but a humble Israelite who was 
brought up in Jerusalem ; and yet there was not a 
thing that I ever undertook for the benefit of my 
brethren in general, or for the interest of those who 
dwell in the Holy Land in particular, that did not 
succeed, by the help of God, in a most wonderful 
manner. It is true I encountered much trouble in 
the pursuit of my object. 1 had to combat difficulties 
many a time and on many occasions ; but the stumb- 
ling blocks that were on my road never frightened my 
heart or shook my confidence in the Eternal God. I 
pursued my plans in spite of all difficulties that 
presented themselves, and never gave up the object I 
had in view till I succeeded, This the indulgent 
reader will see from the testimonials of the great men 
that are given in this volume, and he will be able to 
judge himself of my troubles and successes. 

But it will not be superfluous, I think, if I men- 
tion here one case in particular, namely : the work I 
have accomplished for my brethren in Roumania. I 
was the first who applied to the American Govern- 
ment in their behalf. I sent a supplication, written 
as with the blood of my heart, to the President of 
this blessed land, laying the cause of my unfortunate 
brethren before him and his righteous government. 



154 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



I was then regarded as a fool by those who think 
themselves wise, for nobody would believe that the 
Government of the United States would ever interfere 
in an affair that did not concern her directly. Even 
the editor of the Hamagid expressed his doubts of 
any success. So also did the poor sufferers of 
Roumania doubt whether America would consent to 
do anything in their behalf, and therefore they did 
not send an appeal to the United States Government, 
as I advised them to do. But my faith in the liberal- 
ity of this blessed land, and above all in the mercy of 
the Lord my God, was not shaken.. I knew that the 
Government of this country would not be deaf to any 
cry for help in the cause of humanity and justice. I 
was more encouraged in my belief when I had the 
honor of a personal interview with President Grant, 
which gave me the opportunity to see how truly 
honest and upright are his feelings in any matter that 
concerns oppressed and suffering human beings. I 
also relied on the assistance of my friends who are in 
Congress, and worked on with a cheerful heart. 

When I succeeded in persuading my friend Benja- 
min Peixotto to quit his native shores for the sake of 
his brethren in Roumania, I perceived that the time 
of God's mercy had come. I worked harder still with 
supplications, interviews and exhortations, till I actu- 
ally succeeded in arousing the sympathy of the liberal 
Americans for my suffering brethren in Roumania. 
Benjamin Peixotto was, through my efforts, appointed 
Consul of the United States to Roumania, with special 
instruction to work there for the allevition of the con- 
dition of the Jews. The nobles of God's people of 



CONCLUSION. 



155 



San Francisco, and especially the renowned house of 
Seligman Brothers, of San Francisco and Is ew York, 
started a society for the assistance of the Roumanian 
Israelites. My heart rejoices at the issue of things, 
and I have learned once more that the help of God 
does not depend either on power or on might. 

May heaven and earth stand up as witnesses against 
me, and the One who " searcheth the heart and trieth 
the reins," He knoweth if I mention these things in 
pride of the work I have done ! I only put it for- 
ward as an example of what can be accomplished by 
means of honest endeavors and an undaunted heart. 
If I, a poor, uninfluential stranger, as I am in 
this land, could accomplish this, how much more could 
be done by our truly great and influential brethren, if 
they earnestly took to heart the condition of their 
helpless co-religionists, and were resolved to exercise 
all their power and influence in their behalf ? Let 
them all assemble in one council to devise means for 
alleviating* the condition of their suffering; brethren in 
Koumania. Let each and all of them resolve to do 
all that is within their reach in order to obtain the 
results that are wished for. There is no doubt that 
the spirit of the Almighty will manifest itself in such 
an assembly, and will bring new life into the dried 
bones of the house of Jacob. The saving arm of the 
Lord would then reveal itself in their actions, as it 
ever did when the chieftains of Israel were acting res- 
olutely and united in the name of the Eternal. How 
long shall we appear before the world like stray sheep 
that have no shepherd ? Or are our leading men so 
forgetful of their duty and of the good promises of 



156 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



God to his people that they have no heart to under- 
take any resolute course of action, relying on His ever- 
lasting truth ! - Arise, ye shepherds, to whose charge 
the flock of the Almighty was entrusted, arise and 
answer, What has become of the flock ? " Where is 
the glory of Israel and of what significance is Israel 
to-day ?" 

Let us search our ways by the luminous actions of 
our forefathers, the records of which history handed 
down to us. As long as the light of Israel continued 
in bright independence, before the last offspring of 
David was cut off, in all the great political evolutions 
we formed a selfstanding and united nation ; there was 
not one of our rulers who bowed his head before the 
enemy of his people. Our kings and princes fought 
like lions for their nation and their land as long as 
there hands were able to wield the sword ; and when 
they saw that their power was broken, and their situ- 
ation past remedy and hope, they plunged that sword 
into their own breast rather than give it up to the 
enemy and acknowledge his superiority. Thus their 
last drop of blood which could not be spilt for the 
benefit of their people attested their unspeakable love 
and attachment to it. At the time when the Romans 
beleaguered the Holy City, when the tempest of war 
was raging around the walls of Jerusalem and the rav- 
ing of hunger was within, when the heart of Jewish 
mothers forgot the feeling of tenderness and love to- 
ward their children and the ears of fathers were deaf 
to their agonies of death, when Jewish parents were 
worse than the wild brute devouring their own tender 
babes — at those horrible times when it seemed that 



CONCLUSION, 



157 



all feeling and thought had gone from Israel, the 
sense of honor was alive in the heart of our leaders ; 
not one of them surrendered himself to the enemy, as 
did Napoleon III and his General in the recent war. 

There were the glorious wars for independence in 
the time of the Maccabees, and there were the unparal- 
leled examples of our spiritual guides who went through 
fire and water and all the agencies of torture for the 
sake of their principles^ to testify to the fact that our 
race could maintain its cause or die for the sake of it.. 
But what have we now in our principle or action to 
confirm that we are the offspring of our glorious an- 
cestors ? Let Israel -of to-day say where is his valor,, 
where is his sense of honor and duty, where is the 
slightest trait of moral dignity to identify him as a, 
true descendant of his great predecessors ? Shall we 
thus continue to be a reproach and byword to our ad- 
versaries ? Shall we thus justify the assertion of our 
enemies who say :. " The wisdom of their wise is lost, 
their chivalry is exhausted, and their heart has become 
so faint that it trembles at the noise which is caused 
by leaves that fall from a tree P Alas ! that the 
words of our prophet Jeremiah,. " I have planted thee 
of a good stock,, withal truthful seed, and how hast 
thou toned into the worst of wines of the strangest 
quality," have come to such a fulfillment ! " Where 
is the glory of Israel and of what significance is Israel 
to-day !" 

If there is any spark, of valor and dignity yet in the 
heart of Israel,, if there are yet the undeniable traces 
of sharp intellect and benevolence left in him to vin- 
dicate his character before the world, alas, how 



158 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



strange and peculiar are the manifestations of these 
good qualities ! It seems that all the good that a 
Jew can accomplish is but for the benefit of others. 
It seems, in fact, that the Jew can live and die for 
any cause but his own, for anybody but his brother 
in flesh and faith. If tribulation befalls any tribe or 
nation in any corner of the globe, the scattered sons 
of Jacob take the deepest interest in the affair, they 
willingly sacrifice their goods and their blood for the 
help of their neighbors, and if misfortune befalls their 
own brethren, they look on despondently and are not 
able to do anything themselves, and among others, of 
course, there is none to lend them a helping hand. 
If a war breaks out between two nations, you will 
find Israelites in the army of either of the contending 
parties ; thus one Jew is shedding the blood of an- 
other, both of them fighting for his adopted land 
(which only tolerates him. and does not even accord 
him all the rights of citizenship). With all the 
bravery, wisdom and talent which he inherited from 
his progenitors, the Jew is thus working for the de- 
struction of his brother for no earthly reason, and 
without jtny cause. We have witnessed such things 
in the Crimea, the Austro-Prussian and the Franco- 
Prussian wars of the latest times, and there were such 
examples in previous times. We have also seen Is- 
raelitish soldiers fighting for the liberation of the 
slaves in America ; but we do not know of a Jewish 
warrior who has shed his blood for his own brethren 
for many centuries ? • f 
Was it ever heard in the world that a nation, a 
race, I may say a family (for all Israelites are but one 



CONCLUSION. 



159 



family), should do everything that is in its power for 
the weal of others, that it should sacrifice its bravest 
and best for the advantage of such as consider it a 
mere stranger, and not try the slightest thing for its 
own cause, wherein the life and property of hundreds 
of thousands of its own members are concerned! I 
compare my brethren with a rich man who forswore 
to himself the enjoyment of his property, setting it 
free to all who desire to take it. He sees others 
feasting themselves on his good.s, satisfying all their 
wants and pleasures with what he called his own, 
while he must go around to beg of his friends a scanty 
meat to satisfy his hunger. He can hardly get 
anything from his friends, for they consider him a 
fool and unworthy of their assistance and respect. 
He fades away in misery and abject poverty, because 
he durst not touch anything of his own and can get 
nothing from others. Thus Israel is looking up for 
help to the mighty rulers of Europe, whose countries 
he is defending, whose industry he is promoting, whose 
education he is furthering; at their feet he kneels 
begging for the justice that is due to him. And all 
that those mighty rulers do to show their regard for 
their devoted subjects is that they write addresses, feeble 
protestations in a verbosity that can do no good what- 
ever. And the eye of Israel is weak to see that there 
is as little to hope from the interference of the Kings 
as there is little to fear from the anathemas of their 
holy See in Rome. 

Not through such means will come the help of our 
unfortunate brethren. Not by degrading ourselves 
with kneeling and supplications before those who have 



* 



160 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS . 



no desire to do us justice will our restoration be ac- 
complished. W e must work for our cause with the 
same means as our ancestors did ; with strength of 
arm, with the craft of wisdom and council which God 
has not deprived us of. Look up, Israel, to the rock 
from which thou art hewn ; remember the source 
from which thou hast sprung ! " How long wilt thou 
be a mock in the world and a prey to the teeth of thy 
enemies ?" Where is thy glory, O Israel, and of what 
significance art thou to-day ? 

With regard to the Roumanian question that is 
now agitating the mind of our brethren, I can not 
forego expressing the opinion which I entertained two 
years ago, that it is not a thing which has sprung into 
existence by chance, and is standing for itself as an 
individual case before the world. It is the venomous 
outgrowth of the Eastern question which has played 
such an eminent role in the politics of Europe and 
Asia, and which is still not relinquished by Russia. 
The Roumanian question is united with the Eastern 
question just as the flame is united with the fire which 
generates it. It is one of the deep-laid political 
schemes of Russia, who is constantly looking toward 
the East with a devouring eye. There is, therefore, 
no hope for any change in the condition of our 
suffering co-religionists in Roumania as long as the 
Eastern question remains unsettled. This can be 
understood from the answer which Prince Gortschakoff 
gave to the address of England concerning the inter- 
ference of the European powers in behalf of the Jews 
that are outraged there. The Russian statesman said, 
in plain terms, that he would rather have thousands 



CONCLUSION'. 



161 



in plain terms, that lie would rather have thousands 
of human beings sacrificed by the Roumanian bar- 
barians than interfere in behalf of justice and have 
the Eastern question roused to active political consid- 
eration. It is his plan to have that question remain 
unsettled until he is well prepared to settle it to his 
advantage. But he does not want it to be forgotten 
altogether ; hence the persecution of the Jews which 
is going on in Roumania by Russian wire-pulling, and 
which will keep on in the same way as long as the 
interest of Russia requires it. The fox having gone 
into partnership with the bear, Prussia being in 
alliance with Russia, no government in the world 
will dare to interfere with these two greatest powers 
of the world. Our brethren who are trying to arouse 
the sympathy of European monarchs for the sufferers 
of Roumania are laboring under a mistake, and con- 
sequently their work is going on in a false direction* 
They think that religious differences are the cause of 
the persecution of the Jews, and therefore do they 
try to dispel old prejudices by soft words and suppli- 
cations in the name of justice. But the fact is that 
the religious difference, which seems to be the cause 
of the evil, is nothing but political wire-pulling, 
arranged by Russian statesmanship and sustained by 
the influence of Prussia. Even if the other powers 
see through the scheme, they dare not interfere with 
these two political giants, and all the supplications and 
addresses will not move them to do anything resolute 
in the matter. The whole affair can be explained in 
the following terms : 

Russia said to her neighbor Prussia : " I will give 
11 



162 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



thee a chance to do to France whatever thon wilt, if 
thon promise to sustain me afterward, when I get hold 
of the sick man, to accomplish my design in the East.'' 
" All right/ 5 says Prussia, " let us make an alliance 
and sustain each other. I will commence operations 
at "once, because I have the means and the cause 
ready — the vacated Spanish throne and the Prince 
of Hohenzollern as a candidate for it. Napoleon, 
unsafe in his position among his people, will certainly 
seek his remedy in war ; he will try a coup-de-etat 
which shall either restore him to the favor of his 
people or ruin the country with his fall. In short, he 
will seek glory or revenge. The last is the most 
probable, for I have been preparing myself for such 
a war whilst he had his hands full with his own 
people and had no time to think of meeting outward 
difficulties. Thus I will certainly succeed against 
France, if thou wilt hold the other powers in check 
while I am operating. 1 will take Alsace and Loraine 
as my immediate boons ; better things will follow 
by and bye." 

" I shall sustain thee," said Russia, " on the con- 
dition that thou promise to help me afterward. While 
thou art in operation against France I will procure 
for myself means and reasons for the work which I 
intend to accomplish in the East. There is the 
nationality of Eoumania the constitution of which is 
most happily complicated with the Eastern question ; 
but it seems to be quite forgotten by the other powers. 
I will revive their political memories by arousing the 
superstitious Barbars of that little country against the 
Jews. My monks will be the instruments of exciting 



CONCLUSION. 



163 



the mobs of Koumania to maltreat the Jews. Prince 
Charles, who is under thy influence, must be taught 
by thee, of course, not to interfere in the matter. The 
Israelites of all other countries will raise a noise about 
it and bring the acts of the bonari to the notice of all 
other powers in Europe. The indignation of the civ- 
ilized world will be roused, and they will protest in 
the name of justice and humanity. That will give me 
an opportunity to take the Eastern affair in hand 
when I am ready to do it. I will then help myself to 
the Black Sea and to Constantinople. The East In- 
dies will follow." 

" Give me your hand," said Prussia ; " I understand 
thee, and will help thee as thou sayest," 

Thus the compact was made, and the blood of our 
brethren are to serve the cause of Prussia's avarice. 
The address of Prince Gortschakoff, the re-erection of 
Sebastopol, and the lukewarm actions of Prince 
Charles in the outrages that are committed against the 
Israelites in his domains, attest the truth of this 
alliance ! 

Now, how can Israel hope for help through the in- 
tervention of any political power ? Who will or can 
compel Russia to give up her designs if she is backed 
by Prussia ? Or is it to be expected that the blood 
of the scattered and despised Jews will be dearer to 
her than the blood of the noble French ? If there is 
no other hope for us than the mercy of Russia, it is 
better we give up all hope. For what purpose shall 
w^e seek help where we know that we can get none ? 

But God has not abandoned his people. We need 
not dispair in the hour of tribulation, since we know 



164 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



that the Almighty God of Abraham has promised, 
u and by all these, when they will be in the land of 
their enemies, I have not rejected nor abhor ed them 
to extermination, to dissolve my covenent with them.' 5 
He has ever been our guide and our stay, and so he 
will continue to be if we trust in him and do not rely 
on falsehood and deceit. Let us find out what we 
have to do, and endeavor to work in the light direction 
with undoubting reliance on Him, and we will surely 
succeed. 

The internal position of our people present a heart- 
rending sight to a man who is able to contemplate it. 
Those men who should be our guides, and whose duty 
it is to care for our welfare, are engaged in party quar- 
rels and difference of opinion, which serve only to turn 
away the heart of one brother from another. They 
thus promote discord and hatred instead of union and 
brotherly love. They rend the tent of Jacob in pieces 
instead of building it up. They are so much taken up 
with their petty differences that they forget the great 
principles which should be their only object. They 
promote disunion within and do not take to heart the 
danger which is threatening us from without. Look 
at the work you are doing and say : " Where is thy 
glory, O Israel, and of what significance art thou to- 
day?" 

My object in uttering these painful cries of my 
heart, is to take off the veil that covers the eyes of my 
brethren, and when they are clearly shown their dis- 
graceful position in the world, that they will be prompt- 
ed to seek for a remedy in the right way. My words 
I address especially to the nobles of my people^ who are 



CONCLUSION. 



165 



endowed with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
and who have the fear of the Lord in their hearts. I 
direct my words to the men who are standing at the 
head of the " Alliance Israelite/' of Paris, for since 
they have appeared before the world as the champions 
of Israel they have proved equal to this noble task. The 
work that the renowned A. Cremieux has done for his 
brethren in Damascus, and the actions which the illus- 
trious Albert Cohen has done for the poor of the Holy 
Land, bear witness that the spirit of the Lord is with 
them. The noble idea which you have conceived of 
establishing an 66 Alliance " for the purpose of saving 
the oppressed and crushed down, to strengthen the 
hands of those who are scattered all through the world 
and differing in thought and conceptions — the con- 
ception and execution of this noble thing shows that 
the spirit of our God is with you. His light is shining 
upon you in order that you should diffuse that light 
on the house of Jacob and that you should lead them 
on to prosperity and truth. Because the mercy of 
God is great upon his people He therefore has chosen 
you for this great work. And therefore you, the 
noble associates of the " Alliance," are in duty and 
honor bound to pursue the work which God has en- 
trusted to you. You know how great a thing is unity 
and brotherly love. Call together a conference of all 
the prominent men of our race throughout the world, 
and devise means of establishing peace among our 
brethren within and of bettering their position in the 
world among the other nations of the earth. Tour 
objects of consideration should not be the individual 
cases of Koumania, Western Russia, or Persia. Take 



166 



THOUGHTS AHD REFLECTIONS. 



up at once the great cause of establishing a Jewish 
independent commonwealth in the land of our fore- 
fathers. Hoist up the flag of Jehudah on Mount Zion, 
and return the scattered sheep of Jacob to their right- 
ful pasture. 

The difficulties of the Eastern question are to be 
settled by you, and all the other nations of the earth 
will be thankful to you for the service. Present to 
the political convention the great advantages which 
such a newly-created political power in the East will 
have. It will check the avaricious endeavors of Russia, 
and, introducing civilization and activity into the heart 
of barbarous Asia, it will benefit the other parts of the 
world in a most signal manner. There is no doubt 
that many powerful nations will lend us a helping 
hand to accomplish this great work, ad Turkey will 
have no objection whatever to grant us the possession 
of our land, seeing that it will free and protect her 
against her enemy of the North. If such a political 
Jewish existence is once established all the misfortunes 
of our race throughout the world will cease. Russia 
and Roumania will have to honor the J ewish flag, 
and our famishing brethren of all parts of the world 
will flock together to their land to cultivate the soil 
and to live in prosperity under their own vine and fig- 
tree. 

The time has arrived when Jerusalem shall awake 
from her ashes and the mount of Zion shall become 
once more, and forever, the centre of our glory. We 
do not want now to renew the institution's sacrifices, 
or to waste our time in casuistic controversies about 
an anointed high-priest. These things remain mysteries 



CONCLUSION. 



167 



to be solved by the revealtion of the Lord. Our 
duty is to help ourselves in the way we best can and 
leave the other things to the will of the Lord our God, 
in whose power we trust and rely. 

Do not object to my plan because some of our 
brethren believe that the restoration of our .glory 
ought to be established in a different manner. I am 
certainly not one of those who have no faith in the 
prophecies of our Bible, or who reject the wisdom of 
our wise. But for the present state of things I do 
believe (and hope that every right-minded brother 
will coincide with me) that it is better for us to learn 
how to handle the spear than to waste our time in 
mourning over our vanished glory. It is better that 
we study the science of politics, than to waste our 
brains with the sharp casuistic dialogues concerning 
sacrifices and feast-offerings. It is better for us to 
unite in one council and devise means of bringing 
new life into the dried bones of Israel than to make 
synods for the purpose of establishing new ceremonies 
and abolishing old ones in our synagogues. It is 
better that we should have to sing songs of victory 
in the streets of Jerusalem, than to hear strangers 
sing their songs in the place of our sanctuary. It is 
better for Israel to dwell in their own land, work 
their own soil and have their wants satisfied by the 
blessings of God, than to go astray in the world like 
birds that have not their nests. And who will tell 
me that we have not the means of establishing a gov- 
ernment of our own ? 

There are four things required for the establishment 
of a prosperous commonwealth; Wisdom, power, 



168 



THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS. 



riches, and harmony among the constituents. The 
first three things, which are in the power of the 
Almighty alone, God has not withheld from us. It 
depends now upon ourselves to work in unity and 
harmony, and our designs can be accomplished by the 
aid of the eternal, our God. It is on you, the fore- 
men of the " Alliance Israelite," that I call in the name 
of the Lord to establish this much-wanted harmony 
among our brethren, and to work for the restoration 
of our glory. The Lord will help you in your sacred 
endeavors if you will try to act in accordance with 
the noble appellation you have assumed. 

By calling together a universal conference of all 
the leading members of our brethren, and devising 
means of establishing the unity and independence of 
Israel, not only the most of our brethren will work 
with you to attain this noble object, but even multi- 
tudes of other nations will come to you from every 
corner of the globe and will lend you their assistance. 
Princes and nobles will come to your help, and kings 
will aid toward the erection of the ruined Zion. Arise 
you noble champions of Israel, for your light has come 
and the glory of the Eternal will shine upon you. He 
will prosper your endeavors to bring everlasting 
redemption to Jehudah and Israel, and all those who 
will see your prosperity will say; "Behold, they are 
the seed that is blessed by the Lord," 



THE END, 



Palestine and Romania, 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE 



HOLY LAND, 



THE PAST AND PRESENT STATE OF ROMANIA, AND THE 
ROUMANIAN JEWS, 



Rabbi H. Z. SNEERSOHN, 



OF JERUSALEM. 



HEBREW ORPHAN ASYLUM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, 
76th Street, bet. Third and Lexington Aves. 
1872. 



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